DIGITAL driving tests to be introduced in South Africa in 2025
According to the minister, digital driving tests in South Africa are set to launch next year as part of the country’s technology-driven transformation.
Digital driving tests in South Africa are set to enter the pilot phase, with a potential public rollout as early as next year (2025), according to TopAuto.
This is according to Minister of Transport Barbary Creecy, during a parliamentary Q&A session. Apparently, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is nearly ready to roll out digital driving tests in South Africa. The entity says its efforts will streamline the testing process and crack down on fraudulent drivers’ licences.
DIGITAL DRIVING TESTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Furthermore, digital driving tests in South Africa, “Will use geofencing and biometric identification to verify all parties involved during the exam,” says the minister. The tech is in the process of being pilot tested this year, with the goal of roll out nationally in 2025. At the same time, more Smart Enrolment Units (SEUs) – integrated with Department of Home Affairs and South African Police Service databases – are being installed across the country.
It’s said these SEUs speed up the application process at all driving licence testing centres (DLTCs), thanks to real-time verification. And allow authorities to flag anyone with outstanding enforcement orders, or even those who have entered the country illegally.
HOW WILL DIGITAL TESTS WORK?
While the minister has not clarified exactly how digital driving tests in South Africa will work, service providers in the Europe help paint a clearer picture for us. According to the firm BJSS, it already administers two-million digital driving tests annually. Essentially, the process eliminates the current paper-based, admin-heavy process of hand-written notes/scores. Everything is done via digital tablets in real time as the test unfolds.
Accordingly, the RTMC will develop and maintain new software for the National Administration Traffic Information System (eNATIS), to manage the digital licence application process. This goes hand-in-hand with its new computerised learner’s licence tests (CCLTs) as well, which are already being rolled out across the country. We’ll keep you updated on the further rollout of digital driving tests in South Africa …