Jason Felix
THE electronic learner’s licence test used in Mitchells Plain for five years has been scrapped because of low computer literacy levels in the area and high failure rates.
Also, the national Department of Transport and provincial government do not have funds to introduce the electronic test to other testing centres in the city.
The electronic test was also used in 2010 in Malmesbury, which soon dropped it.
At the Mitchells Plain centre, the pass rate with the electronic system was 18 percent; at other testing centres, where tests were handwritten, it was more than 60 percent.
The city’s safety and security portfolio committee agreed with traffic officials yesterday that the Mitchells Plain centre revert to the conventional way of testing candidates.
Deputy chief of traffic operations Andre Nel told the committee: “There is a vast difference in the difficulty level of the two systems. The city does not have funds to roll this out to driving licence testing centres and we strongly recommend the city reverts to the old position.”
In June, the provincial Department of Transport said its national counterpart “was not in a position” to pay for the electronic system to be introduced across the city.
The cost is estimated to be R1 million for each centre and the city would need R17m.
Cedric Thomas (DA) and Grant Haskin (ACDP) questioned the low pass rate.
Portfolio chairwoman Carin Brynard said computer literacy levels had played a big part in the low pass rate.
“I would suggest that a more user-friendly system be introduced,” she said.
Mzwakhe Nqavashe (ANC) lobbied for the electronic system to be introduced to private driving schools.
“This could help learner drivers when they do their electronic tests.”
Brynard said the state did not have the money to help the city and would not fund the private sector.
Khayalethu Makaleni (ANC) said the system should be reintroduced.
“More research should be done on this system… our young people are tech-savvy. If they are taught the system properly and if the tests are user-friendly then the pass rate will be higher. I don’t think we should scrap this, but… improve the service.”