UAE | Traffic and Transport

Examiner shortage hits learners

A shortage of examiners to conduct driving tests has badly hit learner drivers and driving schools.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:22 November 21, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • According to RTA rules, it is compulsory for beginners to take at least 40 classes before appearing for a driving test. Picture for illustrative purposes only.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Dubai: The process of getting a driving licence can now take about nine months.

Earlier, it took just six to eight weeks to get a driving licence but since the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has separated training and testing since early this year, there have been long queues of learner drivers waiting to appear for tests.

"I applied for training at a driving school but was told that I would have to wait for at least two-and-half months to start training because of the long waiting list," said Tanveer Hussain, a businessman. He said he tried his best to get early dates but failed.

"Hussain is not the only one, there are thousands of others waiting to start their training," said a spokesperson of a leading driving school in Dubai.

Apparently, around 500 to 600 enroll every day to get a driving licence.

There has been a phenomenal increase in the number of applicants in recent months, mainly because residents in this fast-expanding city prefer to drive in the absence of a proper public transport system and acute taxi shortage.

In January this year, the RTA separated training and testing. Now the driving schools provide training but RTA officials conduct tests.

According to RTA rules, it is compulsory for beginners to take at least 40 classes before appearing for a driving test.

In case a learner driver fails the test, he or she has to take at least seven classes to reappear in the next test, which is conducted at least one month after his first test.

Most learner drivers get their licences after at least two attempts. It means, two to three months to start classes, two to three months of training period and then three to four months for appearing in the tests to get a licence to drive.

"While applicants wait for two to six weeks to start their classes at our school, learner drivers have to wait even longer to reappear for tests, because they cannot go for re-test before at least one month of their first test," said Fatima Raees, Marketing Director of the Emirates Driving Institute.

She said the institute has at least 5,000 students waiting to reappear in their tests and the list is increasing every day as around 100 new students enroll for training every day.

Raees said the institute does not question the strict testing procedure, but there is immediate need to reduce the period given for retesting and to increase the number of examiners.

"We have less than 50 per cent examiners these days as compared to last year," she said.

Also, earlier, drivers were tested both during morning and evening shifts but now the tests are conducted only during morning shifts. The pass percentage has also dropped from 30 to 20 per cent.

Saif Ahmad Al Belhasa, Chairman of the Belhasa Driving School, said the delay in getting licence is because of lack of RTA examiners.

He said it takes a new applicant six weeks to three months to start classes in his school because of heavy rush and increase in time for retesting for those who fail.

"Around 150 to 200 students enroll at our school every day and we have also increased our fleet but the delay is because of shortage of the RTA examiners." The RTA needs to increase the number of examiners to solve the issue, he said.

An RTA official said the RTA is in the process of hiring more examiners and more driving instructors are being allowed by the RTA to undergo training to cope with the demand.

licensing

Under review

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is currently studying driving licencing system in Dubai, said a senior official.

The study focuses on a comprehensive education package that also include drivers' responsibilities, safe driving practice, road safety information, road rules and driving attitude.

"We are also working on making changes in the driving school training syllabus, which will be announced soon," the official said.


Your comments


I was and am still surpised when I came over to Dubai to work that I had to wait two to three months before I can even start my driving lessons and wait even longer for the tests. It's hardly a good vision for the government to impose these inefficiencies to encourage top professionals into this country to work and become the financial capital of the world. I have worked in many parts of the world for a top consultancy firm within the financial district, have a valid driving license from my home country (Malaysia) for 14 years and yet I have to subject myself to this inefficiency in Dubai, when the ultimate objective and vision of Dubai is to be the top in the world. Clearly, something needs to be done and the government needs to rethink and strategize more on the process involved. I'm am willing to provide feedback and next steps on this and also convinced that I am not the only one who feels this way (although I have not heard anyone voice an opinion yet).
Adrian
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 21, 2007, 10:54

I have been waiting for my test dates for over 2 months now. To date leave aside calling the Help Desk, there has not been any progress. I can only pray that this would get resolved.
Nithin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 21, 2007, 10:09

RTA just have to make sure that these examiners are well equipped. Most of the examiners are young and inexperienced and 'could be very subjective' during the exam. Students do their best to follow the rules so as not to waste more time, money and effort, likewise, the examiners, too. Lots of these examiners do not explain to students their mistake when they should so students will not commit the same mistake again. I hope the RTA will include in the guideline these kind of things.
Mimi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 21, 2007, 10:02

Because of delay in geting test always lose the touch of driving and We forced to attend more clasess and Increase of fees and delay of test made me stop my driving class after attending eight tests.
Bindu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 21, 2007, 08:51

It's quite easy to get a doctorate degree from a prestigious institute when compared to obtaining a driving licence in Dubai. RTA should seriously think of this situation.
Rao
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 21, 2007, 07:03

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