South Africa is moving its driver’s licence exams online to combat fraud and enhance the integrity of the testing process, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is developing an electronic driving test app to enable digital exams, TopAuto reports.
Creecy revealed the plans in response to MP Patrick Sindane’s questions on combating fraudulent licences.
The digital tests will use geofencing and biometric ID to verify applicants and examiners.
The system will be piloted this financial year before a national rollout.
The DoT is installing Smart Enrolment Units (SEUs) at all driving licence centres to speed up applications by integrating with Home Affairs for real-time verification.
Linked to the police database, SEUs will also clear users for professional driving permits and help prevent illegal entrants from accessing services.
Creecy stated that the RTMC will develop and maintain new software for the National Administration Traffic Information System (NaTIS) to manage licence applications.
Upgraded computerised learner’s licence tests (CCLTs) have already been rolled out in seven provinces, with the Western Cape set to complete implementation this financial year. Progress in KwaZulu-Natal is slower, with only three CCLTs deployed so far.
Despite progress on digital tests, South Africa’s electronic driver’s licences (eDLs) have faced delays since being promised in 2022.
DoT spokesperson Collen Msibi said in September that eDLs are still planned but budget constraints are causing setbacks.
eDLs would let drivers store licences on smartphones, cutting down on physical card printing delays.
South Africa is set to get new printers for modern licence cards, but civil groups like Outa have criticised the process, myBroadband reports.
The DoT now estimates the cost to be R1 billion, up from the previously stated R468 million, raising concerns over the price hike.
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Picture: Gallo
