03 Dec 2015

Parliament has been informed that Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) is a permit issued in addition to an ordinary licence to authorise drivers to carry goods or passengers.

Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday, the Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Tshenolo Mabeo said it is only issued to qualified drivers who have been in possession of a valid licence for a period of one year or more and it is guided by provisions of the Road Traffic Act.

He said before the amendment of the Road Traffic Act Regulations in August 2015, only drivers who met the following requirements were issued PrDP; the applicants had to be 25 years and above; have been in possession of a valid driving licence for at least two years; had passed driving examinations that include theory, yard and road test; had been certified as medically fit by a doctor and had a police clearance certificate.

However, he said, the minimum age requirement of 25 years and the licence validity period of two years proved to be a challenge as most of the qualified drivers were excluded from acquiring PrDP.
Mr Mabeo further said drivers were also subjected to undertake the same examinations when they first acquired a driving licence.

He said this was found to be a duplication of processes, costly and inconvenient to customers.

In view of the above, he told Parliament, his ministry reviewed the Road Traffic Act Regulations and the following amendments were approved and implemented in August 2015: a minimum age to acquire a PrDP was reduced from 25 years to 21 years; validity of licence to acquire a PrDP was reduced from two years to one year and theory and practical tests were waived.

According to the minister, these changes have greatly assisted the public at large especially the tour operators in the Delta who had a lot of challenges in acquiring and renewing permits for their tour guides. It has also created opportunities for the youth employment in both public transport and private sector.

To date there are 19 468 drivers who have been issued with PrDPs since the implementation of the new exemption in August 2015.

MP for Gaborone North Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister what informed the decision by government to give all drivers PrDP licences without following the set procedures for such licences and also wanted to know the number of drivers who have acquired such licences so far.  Ends