The government is moving forwards with its plan to profoundly change the rules about taking driving licences.
Right now, driving schools have a ‘monopoly’: they are the only places where people can learn – and consequently their costs have become prohibitive.
The government’s ‘alternative regime’ allows for a ‘tutor’ to replace a professional instructor.
Learners (who must be over the age of 18) will still have to take tests with schools, and some lessons – but the current ‘obligatory’ 32-hours of instruction is to be lopped to around 12, and/ or 250kms on national roads with a professional instructor – and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to debate these changes in parliament (where driving schools’ interests may have the ears of opposition parties).
Tutors (which could be a mother/ father/ other family members/ even friend) will have to fulfill certain requirements. These may involve taking some kind of course (to be considered competent). None of this has yet been fully explained. And there may be geographic limitations to the areas in which driving lessons can be undertaken.
Tutors will also have to take out a specific insurance to ensure that the learner is covered for any damage that may result from being behind the wheel.
In other words, it is already looking like being a tutor will imply costs – but the intention is that they aren’t anything like the costs faced currently.
Reports today refer to the decision on whether a learner is ready to take his/ her practical test will continue to be made by driving schools, which will have to carry out a form of ‘assessment test’ to evaluate the learner’s aptitude/ readiness.
Those keen to learn to drive this way must contact their local driving school by email, identifying their chosen tutor and attaching a statement ensuring compliance with the legal requirements (still to be announced).
Similar models for new drivers already exist in countries, including Germany, Belgium, Sweden, France, Norway and Denmark. England too allows for Learner drivers, on provisional licences, with specific insurance.
Now it is just a case of waiting to hear the final details, due to come from an imminent Council of Ministers.
When the government first floated this idea last year, ANIECA (the national association of driving schools), was not enthusiastic, warning that the plan “could ruin the viability of many businesses in the sector, placing around 4,000 jobs at risk”.
Source: Rádio Renascença/ ZAP
