GEORGE NEWS - Frustration over the low pass rates from the computerised learner's licence test (CLLT) is increasing among George residents who claim the system is creating backlogs at the George Traffic Department, disrupting their plans for study and work and costing families repeated booking fees.

George Herald previously reported about complaints from locals about the failure rate and the waiting times of up to six to eight months to get a test slot in George.

The complaints have not dried up. The latest one was from a woman who recently wrote the test on the same day as her mother, who alleges that out of their group of 17, only two passed. She was one of the successful candidates, but her mother failed.

"I keep hearing about people failing, and they should not be. The stats should be the same now as with the written papers, or better - not 80-plus percent of people failing," she said.

She further claims that after having reached the end of her test, she reviewed her answers, and she noticed two responses she had been certain about had been changed by the system, which she was able to correct before submitting her paper.

The complainant said if about 50% of applicants are passing on average, there should be concerns regarding the system. "The pass rate should be comparable to that of the previous paper-based learner's licence test."

The high failure rate is contributing to the backlog as failed applicants must then rebook, compounding delays. This is creating challenges for learners who require a licence for job opportunities or tertiary studies. "The ripple effect is huge. People need learner's licences before they can start driving lessons, apply for jobs or prepare for university. These delays affect their lives."

She believes the Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) should urgently investigate the concerns about the reliability of the system. "If the department does nothing to address this, they are acting fraudulently - taking people's money over and over while knowing there is a problem," she said.

George Herald sent questions to the RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane, on 29 April regarding the national pass rates, the concerns over the wording of questions and the reliability of the software. By Tuesday 12 May, no formal response had been received despite follow-up emails, calls and WhatsApp messages.

Zwane answered his phone on Tuesday morning and undertook to respond soon.

40% pass rate

In a statement published on7 May by the government news agency, SAnews.gov.za, the RTMC confirmed that the pass rate has dropped from 68% to 40% since the implementation of the computerised system in 2021 to combat fraud in the issuing of learner's licences and improve efficiency. 

"The lower pass rate indicates that fewer incompetent drivers are obtaining learner licences, a development the corporation believes will contribute to improved road safety and a reduction in road crashes," it said.

The system randomly selects question papers electronically, preventing officials from knowing which test will be used beforehand, closing the loophole by which they can illegally provide learners with answers before the test. The system also automatically marks the tests that are written on tablets. Candidates must answer 64 questions that are randomly selected from a database of 1 200 questions.

Failing despite preparation

Renel Stander, the owner of the Training Wheels Driving School in George, says many learners struggle to pass the computerised learner's licence test despite extensive preparation, and the lower pass rate is having serious consequences.

"We help students with preparatory classes, but about 50% of them still fail. The questions are asked with logic that assumes practical road experience. A learner who has never physically driven often struggles, while an experienced driver would fare much better."

Renel Stander assisting a student during a lesson. Photo supplied

Stander said the wording of some questions is unnecessarily confusing. "With some of them, you can easily think there are two possible answers. The learners have to decipher the question behind the question."

She encourages learners to study the official NaTIS manual thoroughly and use the free NaTIS app on which practice tests can be completed, but she says even well-prepared students are often caught out. "Sometimes you think a learner is ready, but when they get to some questions, they cannot catch exactly what is wanted."

Knock-on effect

Stander says the knock-on effect has hurt her business. "When only two out of a class of 30 pass, only two book driving lessons. Where I previously had four cars running daily, I'm down to two full-time cars and one that runs in the afternoons only because there are not enough learners progressing."

She also questioned the long waiting times for bookings in George. "Previously, learner's tests were also written on Saturdays, but not these days, despite people waiting for months, failing, and again waiting several months. Children go to university without a learner's licence."

Many parents are now forced to take their children to surrounding towns such as Oudtshoorn, Riversdale, Willowmore and even Ladismith, where booking dates are available sooner.

"It means parents and learners have to take a full day off work and school. It is absurd that a city the size of George is facing this situation."

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