25 Mar 2020

The Department of Roads, Transport and Safety (DRTS) is determined to achieve objectives enshrined in the national road safety strategy to reduce road traffic fatalities by 50 per cent.

DRTS acting director, Mr Godwin Thogo said in an interview that to achieve the objectives, the department had introduced new regulations that required driving schools to provide facilities and services such as classrooms, training grounds and administration offices.

The regulations, Mr Thogo added, also required driving schools to have certification of incorporation, accredited instructors and to be inspected by local authorities and also use dual control vehicles for Class B programmes in line with road traffic regulations introduced in 2015.

He added that the schools must also be accredited with Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) together with instructors and training programmes.

He noted that all practical tests were closed and that there was a new facility used for testing at Maru-a-Pula Testing Centre.

He said the changes were made after the UN realised that road traffic injuries were leading health problems and placing immense pressure on countries health systems, particularly in developing nations hence the DRTS, under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, developed the national road safety programme of 2011-2020.

Mr Thogo said driving schools had been roped in to ensure that they taught and trained learners for effective driving and professionalism as key strategic partners, adding that they had been trained and equipped to provide good service to clients.

“The Road Traffic Act outlines conditions for granting of driving license as an individual has to produce a certificate of competency showing that he has passed a test of competence to drive that class of motor vehicle,” he said.

Mr Thogo further indicated that failure to comply would result in revocation or suspension of a driving license because issues of fraud were subject to prosecution, adding ‘anything that raises suspicion is subject to investigation.’

He said their mandate did not include regulating prices charged by driving schools as they operated under an open market.

“We do not regulate the rates at which driving schools charge their clients as it is up to the arrangement between the instructor and the learner,” he said.

He said it was possible for other driving schools to charge as high as P4 000 because charges were based on class structure and services offered. ENDS