The Department of Transport is seeking to introduce legislation that will require drivers to retake their driver’s test when renewing their driving licence. It’s a move that will likely exacerbate licensing issues already faced by the tourism industry.
The requirement is contained within the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill, which was approved by Cabinet in March. This is the same bill that controversially criminalises any driver with a trace of alcohol.
Ayanda Allie-Paine, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, told Tourism Update that while the Bill proposed that each driver should retake their driver’s test, this will be a once-off requirement when renewing their driving licence.
“This is in order to restore the integrity of the system as some people obtain their licences via unscrupulous means,” she said. “We believe that those who possess fraudulent licences are a real danger to the majority of law-abiding road users and that this mechanism, designed to uproot these unscrupulous individuals, is in the best interest of everyone.”
She added that Bill also proposed the regulation, registration and formalisation of driving schools, including registration of driving school instructors. “We believe this will sufficiently increase the capacity and throughput of driving schools.”
David Frost, CEO of SATSA, described the requirement as ridiculous. He pointed out that at the moment, the Department of Transport had failed to issue operating licences to between 300 and 400 tour and transport operators within the tourism industry.
“You have a system that doesn’t function. Putting an extra burden on the system is absurd,” said Frost. “Let’s first sort out the current systemic problems before we impose extra stress on an already dysfunctional system.”
Delays with the National Public Transport Regulator have plagued the tourism industry for years. At the end of last year, a number of businesses were closed because these companies were unable renew their operating licences.
Allie-Paine said the Bill should be released for public hearings and comments, which would be conducted by the National Assembly of Parliament.
