Transport Ministry won't rush e-testing system for learner drivers

KEPALA BATAS: The Transport Ministry will not rush into introducing the new e-testing system for learner drivers to obtain their licences.

Its minister, Anthony Loke, said the areas around driving schools where the test would be conducted must have good Internet connection to carry out e-testing.

This, he said, was because once the e-testing was rolled out, everything would be computerised.

“We have to go step-by-step. At the early stage, we will allow both manual and e-testing methods.

“Some rural areas still do not have good Internet connection so we can’t do this yet,” he told newsmen after a briefing on the e-testing system at a driving school here.

Loke said the e-testing method would eventually replace the manual way of carrying out the driving test.

There will be no more Road Transport Department (RTD) officer sitting next to the learner driver.

Instead, sensors and cameras will installed at the track and in the car.

Loke said several processes had to be completed before RTD could give the green light for the e-testing systems at driving schools.

The driving schools must apply to RTD to use the system, present proof of concept, conduct pilot tests, carry out user acceptance tests and final acceptance tests before it could be approved.

“It must meet the standards of RTD,” said Loke, adding that e-testing would save time and resources.

The system will have to be integrated directly to the mySIKAP system at RTD, and once drivers pass the test, they can go to the department to collect their licences.

“It is a straightforward pass or fail (system). If they are unhappy with the results, they can challenge it and they can see the camera footage for themselves,” said Loke.