As a means of combating fraud and moving with the times, prospective drivers in Nelson Mandela Bay can now do away with pencil and paper, after a digital system for writing learners’ tests was recently implemented at the Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) in Gqeberha.
This DLTC follows in the footsteps of Kariega and Motherwell, where the system was introduced to the public in May this year and March 2021 respectively.
The digital test is an automated system that is connected to the National Traffic Information System. The test is done electronically by the learners with a tablet exactly the same way as the handwritten test, except for the fact that the questions are now randomly selected from a database of 1 200 questions.
After completion of the test, you submit it and the system marks the test according to the answers given by the learner, which means that you won’t have to wait for an examiner to physically mark your tests with a pen. Results will be received instantly.
Director of traffic and licencing in the metro, Warren Prins, said that the idea has been coming along since December 2020 as a means of looking at minimising corruption within the Driving Licence Testing Centres.
“The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) was engaged in January 2021 to investigate implementing the online booking system at our new centre in Motherwell.
“Thereafter the system was rolled out to the other DLTCs in Kariega and Gqeberha,” Prins said.
“The test is done on a touch screen tablet and has been implemented nationally.
“There are still testing stations using the pen and paper but this will eventually fall away,” he added.
Prins believes that moving with the times, especially digitally, is beneficial for the metro.
“This is part of the fourth Industrial Revolution in moving with technology. This online system is allowing us to have more test slots available per day and corruption will be curbed as the system provides the results after completion of the test automatically.
“The public can download manuals from the website and study for their learner’s test on www.enatis.com by clicking on the learner’s test downloads.”
. Bookings for the learners’ tests are also online and works on a pre-booking system. Learners can go to the following website: online.natis.gov.za and choose a slot.
Within three days you have to present yourself to the chosen Driving Licence Testing Centre to secure your booking by filling in an application form, doing the eye test and fingerprints, and making the payment.
He added that for those that are technologically challenged, an examiner of driving licencing who will be invigilating the tests, will be able to assist learners with the operation of the tablets.
“It is as easy as using a cellphone,” Prins said.
