Transport minister Anthony Loke has announced that the Road Transport Department is set to introduce an electronic driving test and training system called e-Testing in April. Confusingly, the system was announced back in 2022 for implementation but has remained in a pilot phase until now.
With e-Testing, it will allow candidates to undergo the practical test without having JPJ officers present in the car. Instead, their performance will be evaluated automatically using detectors and cameras. Anthony said that results will be generated in real time, with the system also aiming at improving the integrity of the evaluation process.
The minister added that for now, driving candidates can actually choose between taking the normal test or e-Testing before the system is fully implemented in 2030. This means that existing driving institutes have a grace period of six years to make the transition.
To encourage candidates to opt for e-Testing, those under the new system will receive several benefits. For instance, they will be able to make a second attempt for each failed test on the same day for free and they will only need to repeat the failed parts of the test instead of having to repeat the entire Part II element.
Moreover, e-Testing candidates will be given priority in the test reservation list and they will even receive a RM10 rebate for the issuance of a learner’s driving licence. Currently, the only driving institutes capable to implement the electronic system are Institut Memandu Surfine Hitech in Selangor, Pusat Latihan Memandu Berjaya in Johor, and Institut Lima Bintang Abadi in Penang.
(Source: Bernama)
