The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has introduced the electronic diving test system (eTesting) for Malaysia. The pilot project currently involves three diving schools across the country for now, but other schools can offer the eTesting-based evaluation by year-end
eTesting designed to reduce bribery and lesen kopi using technology
Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport said that the eTesting system was launched to drive out corruption among road transport officials following complaints about rampant bribing cases. The system has been in development since 2019 and was planned to be rolled out in 2020, but the pandemic stopped that plan.
With the new system, learner drivers will be doing the test solo, with no official sitting next to them. All evaluations will be done remotely in a control room on site, and the student will be monitored using multiple cameras and sensors installed in and around the practical test circuit. JPJ says the eTesting will be used for practical tests only such as the slope test, three-point-turn, reverse parking parallel parking, the Z-course and the S-course. For the road test, an official will still be present for safety purposes.
eTesting will be fully implemented by 2030
Three schools are now ready to implement the e-Testing system:
- Surfine Driving Institute Sdn Bhd (Selangor)
- Pusat Latihan Memandu Berjaya Bhd (Johor)
- Institut Lima Bintang Abadi (Penang)
The eTesting system will allow more candidates to be tested – up to 150 a day, and results will be immediately available to the student. There will only be two JPJ officers to monitor the whole system from the control room. An advantage of this system is that the students can review their tests should they fail.
If the student fails, they will have the choice to redo the test the same day instead of waiting for the next available slot without any additional costs. Additionally, the returning candidate will be given the priority to redo the practical test, and they will get an RM10 rebate to issue the Learner’s Driving Licence (LDL).
Loke said for now driving test candidates are given the option of either taking the normal test or eTesting before it is fully implemented in 2030. He also added that the driving schools are only permitted to charge a maximum fee of RM100 for candidates who choose eTesting.
Anthony added later on that the Transport Ministry encourages all driving institutes to offer the eTesting system once the pilot project period ends. There will be a six-year grace period for driving institutes to transition from manual to the eTesting method which will fully be implemented by 2030.
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