Starting April 1, driving school students will have the opportunity to take their tests independently in their own vehicles while being monitored remotely by Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers through an electronic tracking system. This initiative was announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke as part of efforts to combat corruption within the system.
According to Loke, the independent driving test, known as e-Testing, will be piloted at three driving institutions beginning in April, with plans to expand to all institutions nationwide within the next six years. Candidates will undergo their practical test, the Ujian Kurikulum Pendidikan Pemandu-Ujian di Litar or Driver Education Curriculum-Circuit Test (KPP02), in vehicles equipped with sensors and cameras that will be monitored in real time by JPJ officers in a control booth.
The aim of this new system is to enhance the integrity of the JPJ driving test process and improve the efficiency of driving institutions. Loke believes that reducing direct interaction between officers and candidates will decrease the chances of corrupt practices, ultimately restoring credibility to the driving test and JPJ while streamlining the process for candidates and JPJ officers.
During a visit to witness the implementation of the e-Testing initiative at the Surfine Hitech Driving Institution, Loke expressed his hopes that up to 150 candidates per day will be able to undergo their KPP02 at a driving institute with only two JPJ officers overseeing the system through the control room.
Loke revealed that candidates will have the option to choose between the traditional driving test or e-Testing. To encourage adoption of the new system, candidates who opt for e-Testing will have the opportunity to retake failed elements of KPP02 on the same day at no extra cost. These candidates will also receive priority in waiting queues and a RM10 rebate when obtaining their Learner’s Driving Licence (LDL).
In addition, driving institutions can charge a maximum of RM100 for candidates opting for e-Testing. Besides Surfine Hitech Driving Institution, e-Testing will also be available at Berjaya Bhd Driving Training Centre in Ulu Tiram, Johor, and Institut Lima Bintang Abadi Sdn Bhd in Penang, with plans for more institutions to transition to e-Testing by 2030.
Loke also announced that driving institutions will soon be permitted to establish computerized theory test (KPP01) centers, allowing candidates to undertake both the computerized test and circuit test in one location. However, these institutions must implement the e-Testing system within a year as part of the condition to open a KPP01 or theory test center.
By centralizing testing locations, the process of obtaining a license will be more streamlined, reducing waiting times for candidates. The cost of the KPP01 test will be capped at RM17 for motorcycles and RM27 for other vehicles.
Overall, these initiatives are aimed at modernizing the driving test process, enhancing transparency, and combatting corrupt practices within the system, ultimately benefitting both candidates and JPJ officers.
