18 Dec 2021

The Intelligent Driver Testing System (IDTS) promotes fair, credible and transparent driver testing process and has been designed to test a significant number of candidates per day at the same time thereby improving the department’s operational efficiency as well as turnaround time in the issuance of driving licenses, Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Thulagano Segokgo has said.

Unlike the manual-based driver test, with IDTS the test is processed online to minimise human interaction in the conduct of practical driver testing.

Mr Segokgo, who was speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of the DTS in Francistown on Friday, said the system entailed a fully computerised testing ground.

He said IDTS would offload burdens of using driving school vehicles for testing at a cost as government would provide vehicles.

He noted that this development came at a time when the facility was in high demand and would reduce cases of corruption at the same time promoting transparency and fairness.

The City of Francistown Mayor Mr Godisang Radisigo said they were pleased to receive the testing system as it was going to speed up the testing process.

Mr Radisigo said procuring the system showed that Botswana had a vision to improve services as the economy relied on roads and driving.

The system, he said fitted well into the President’s Reset Agenda Number 3 of digitalization.

On other issues, the mayor said with Francistown being a gateway to the north, trucks were always using the A3 road, adding that the road was overdue for maintenance as truck owners and tourists were always complaining about its condition.

Also, Mr Radisigo requested the installation of tollgates to collect revenue that could be used in the maintenance of the road.

NEO-Project Manager Mr Bong Kwon Min said in 2017 they constructed and opened the IDTS in Gaborone and was operating successfully.

While Francistown IDTS is the second in Botswana, Mr Kwon Min said the testing systems could be rolled  out to other parts of the country. ENDS