The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has reported a dramatic drop in the learner driver pass rates from 68% to 40%, attributing this change to a new computerised testing system aimed at combating corruption in the licensing process.
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According to The Citizen, “The shift is attributed to the phased introduction of computerised learner licence testing (CLLT) systems, first rolled out in 2021, which has fundamentally changed how aspiring drivers are assessed. The technology was a direct response to widespread fraud, where officials at testing centres manipulated the process.”
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The new CLLT system eliminates this vulnerability. Question papers are now randomly selected, with officials having no prior knowledge of the content, and the system automatically allocates marks, removing human interference from the final pass or fail decision.
The RTMC has previously highlighted the deep-seated nature of this corruption, often involving officials, examiners, and driving school instructors colluding for profit.
The digital transition is nearing completion, with the system already active in more than 300 centres across all nine provinces.
The public is encouraged to report any fraudulent or corrupt activity to assist the unit in its mission: National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0861 762 847 (08617NaTIS)
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Feature Image: Gettys
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