Special task force to overcome driving test candidate backlog: Loke

PUTRAJAYA – A special task force has been set up to overcome the backlog of driving test candidates at driving institutes nationwide at the moment, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. 

With an estimated 600,000 candidates recorded to be undergoing driving courses and tests at such institutes annually, Loke said the backlog is due to the closure of driving institutes in the country following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The big backlog does not mean they cannot obtain their driving licences, but the waiting time is long,” he told reporters after opening the third annual general meeting of the Association of Driving Training Centres Operators in Malaysia here today.

He said the task force is headed by the Road Transport Department (RTD) to find a way to overcome the backlog of driving test candidates as well as expedite the process of obtaining licences.

Loke also announced the government’s initiative to assist driving institute operators to extend the age limit of vehicles used at institutes from seven years to 10 years.

“We take one thing into consideration to help industry players because it is well known that during Covid-19 they could not do anything.

“Most of the vehicles that have entered the seventh year cannot be used, which adds to the burden on operators and is unfair,” he said, adding that RTD will integrate a solution to the matter into the system as soon as possible.

To encourage operators to invest in new vehicles, Loke said vehicle inspections are exempted for the first and second years.

“For the following years up to the 10th year, the mandatory periodic inspection is once a year,” he said.

Regarding the proposal to allow operators to conduct the computerised KPP01 test to obtain a licence, Loke said RTD is drafting standard operating procedures to maintain the integrity and transparency of the test.

According to him, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has previously expressed its view that there may be laxity or information leakage if operators are allowed to administer the test. – Bernama, June 26, 2023