Drive for safer roads
TAPAH: Learner drivers may have to pay a higher fee for their driving lessons, while probationary drivers have to sit for a special test before they are given full driving licence or Competent Driving Licence (CDL).
Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan did not rule out the possibility of learner drivers having to pay a higher fee for their driving lessons with the implementation of a new driving curriculum by end of the year.
He said the new curriculum, which would be more comprehensive (to produce better quality drivers), was in the final stage of getting the Transport Ministry’s approval.
The fee increase might lead to protest from the people but the cost to obtain a driving licence in Malaysia was low, he told reporters after closing the One Community One RTD programme here yesterday.
Solat said this in response to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s statement on Saturday that JPJ would introduce a new curriculum to produce competent, law-abiding and prudent drivers.
The Prime Minister said there was a need for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to reduce the annual number of road accidents and deaths.
He also hoped that the country’s training programme for learner drivers would be on par with the international standards.
Solat said the new curriculum would encompass, among others, longer driving lessons.
The lessons would also depend on the type of car, whether manual or automatic, as preferred by learner drivers, he added.
He said new drivers with the “P” (probation) licence would also have to sit for a special test to be issued with the CDL.
“The CDL licence would not be issued to them automatically as was the current practice.” He said the system of issuing Public Service Vehicle vocational licence and the Goods Vehicle Driving Licence would also be enhanced. — Bernama