If you have a drivers licence or are preparing to get one, you’ll want to take note.
At the end of 2018, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) announced that it was looking at a complete overhaul of South Africa’s current testing and driving rules.
This is in response to terrible road conditions, terrible drivers, and a high accident rate nationwide.
According to BusinessTech, spokesperson Simon Zwane said that the planned changes were still in the discussion phase, and completed proposals would be submitted to transport minister Blade Nzimande and parliament for approval.
The proposed changes would be as follows:
- A complete overhaul of the K53 driving test;
- Motorists will need to undertake a retest every five years when they renew their driver’s licences;
- Newly qualified drivers may not make long road trips in their first year (more than 150km or more);
- Newly qualified drivers must still be accompanied by an experienced driver for their first six months;
- Additional testing for truck, bus and taxi drivers;
- Motorists will not be allowed to obtain a heavy-truck licence if they do not already have a car licence.
I want to go on the record as saying that taking a retest every five years is nothing more than a money-making scheme.
Get stuffed.
Managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says that while the efforts to improve the driving test are commendable, not all of the changes will be easily implemented.
He noted that the plan to make every driver re-do their driving license every five years does not seem possible from an administrative perspective.
“It may work better to only require certain drivers to re-do their licenses, such as those in a certain age bracket,” he said.
Other suggestions that could be potentially problematic include the reassessment of the K53 theory.
“In addition to reassessing the theory, moves should also be made to ensure that all drivers have the practical skills to be competent drivers. Additionally, will requiring newly qualified motorists to drive with experienced drivers for six months be long enough?
Despite these concerns, Herbert thinks that the new measures will decrease the current high road mortality rates.
In the meantime, you can brush up on the five SA road rules that you’re probably getting wrong. You should probably also take into account the new drunk driving penalties.
When all else fails, skip the driving altogether and take an Uber.
[source:businesstech]
