Gauteng transport MEC Ignatius Jacobs today introduced a R23 million pilot project to eliminate fraud and waiting from the province's driver and learner licence system.
The launch took place at the Langlaagte testing station this morning.
The pilot system is already in use and consists of a R5 million learner licence testing module, classrooms, a fleet of vehicles for driver testing and the technology required to issue credit card-style driver licences.
Learner licence tests are now booked online and completed on a touch-screen. A computer randomly generates the tests.
"Previously, we could test 50 people, three times a day. Now we can test 75, six times a day. They complete the test and sign off with a fingerprint on a biometric device. We've already had 100 000 tests without a single hiccup," says City of Johannesburg head of licensing Gerrie Gernecke.
A backup generator supports the system, should mains power fail. Gernecke says the system marks the tests instantaneously and seconds after signing off will light the screen red or green to indicate pass or failure. Learners who fail can immediately re-book and can often try again the next afternoon.
On the driver testing side, the station has 10 Toyota Corollas and 10 trucks, fitted with cameras and other technology to allow for the remote observation of the road test.
Gernecke says the system is currently only in place at Langlaagte. He hopes to obtain finance or sponsorship to at least roll-out the R5 million licence testing system to all other city testing centres.
In February, Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa promised to end the chaos at Gauteng's licence testing stations by 31 March (tomorrow). At the time, Shilowa said: "Over the past year, the driving licence booking system has not been able to respond adequately to the needs of consumers."
As a result, a "new system, integrating SMS, telephone, Internet and walk-in bookings, will be introduced," Shilowa added. "Booking terminals will be installed at every testing centre and a direct online link created between each centre and the GSSC [Gauteng Shared Services Centre] call centre."
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