The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has announced that a new digital control system will be implemented. This system requires all currently active drivers nationwide to re-register, undergo mandatory training, and take a competency assessment.
The Ministry stated that this new procedure, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Skills, is aimed at curbing road traffic accidents that claim lives annually, cause physical injuries, and lead to significant economic losses.
Unlike the traditional control system, this new procedure is fully supported by technology. The entire process, from initial driver registration to training, assessment, and certification, is designed to be managed by a digital system.
In a statement posted on its social media page, the Ministry indicated that this will help ensure transparency and completely free the assessment process from manual handling or human interference.
According to the new directive, any driver must take training before sitting for an exam, and drivers will be allowed to drive only after confirming their competence based on the set standards.
It was stated that the preparation of all documents necessary to officially launch this national project has been completed. To ensure the success of this project, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics has signed a work agreement with a training institution called SDS Safety and Driving to jointly provide registration, training, and assessment services.
While it is expected that every driver must pass through this competency verification process, it is known that the registration, training, and assessment of public and cargo transport drivers will begin shortly.
Consequently, the Ministry has urged commercial vehicle drivers to make the necessary preparations. For their part, drivers are arguing that the assessment is inappropriate.
Drivers stated that the Ministry should have first fixed the foundational system used for issuing new driver's licenses, and they have also raised questions regarding the fees for the assessment.
Furthermore, they argue that it has no legal basis for the government to say, "If I don't re-assess the driver's license I previously issued myself, you cannot work." They also assert that it is inappropriate to force drivers with 10 to 30 years of experience to stop working to undergo training.
On the other hand, they noted that it is unclear how the new system is claimed to be free from human interference, given that written exams are currently taken on computers and practical exams are monitored by cameras.
While the drivers do not deny that providing supporting training to enhance skills is good, they argue that this should be done by providing half-day or full-day training sessions when drivers come to renew their driver's licenses.
