HULU LANGAT: The electronic driving test system (eTesting) will be introduced at three driving institutes next month, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said candidates may take the regular driving test or opt for eTesting.
The new test will see candidates perform their practical course test (KPP02) using cars outfitted with sensors tracked by a control booth manned by Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers.
To encourage the adoption of eTesting among the public, Loke promised that candidates who opt for it will receive a number of benefits.
ALSO READ: Driving schools can apply to conduct theory tests on their own premises, says Loke
These include allowing them to immediately retake elements of KPP02 that they failed on the same day at no additional charge, he said during a visit to a driving school here on Tuesday (March 5).
Candidates will also be given priority in queues ahead of standard test candidates as well as a RM10 rebate when acquiring their Learner’s Driving Licence (LDL).
The minister said driving schools will only be allowed to be charged a maximum of RM100 extra for candidates who opt for eTesting.
The electronic test will be offered by Surfine Hitech Driving Institution here, Berjaya Bhd Driving Training Centre in Ulu Tiram, Johor and Institut Lima Bintang Abadi Sdn Bhd in Penang.
Loke hoped that the new system would increase the integrity of JPJ’s driving test and also improve the efficiency of driving institutes.
“With eTesting, up to 150 candidates can take the KPP02 in a single day while only needing two JPJ officers to monitor the system in the control room.
“This will make it easier and faster for both candidates and officers when issuing licences.
“It will also reduce the interaction between officers and candidates, which can restore integrity and credibility to the driving test and JPJ as a whole,” he said.
He also encouraged other driving schools across the country to transition towards implementing eTesting by 2030.
“They are given the freedom to choose from any of the three system providers that have been approved by the eTesting Project Evaluation Committee,” he said.
He added that three more system providers were currently going through the committee's approval process.