OREANDA-NEWS. The Ministry of Information Technology and Communications proposes the reformation of drivers’ training and examination system. Today, on May 16, 2016, within a press conference, Vasile Botnari presented the Concept of system reformation.

According to the minister of ITC, the concept delivers a range of novelties for the Republic of Moldova, and it will help to implement a set of measures, which shall change the situation regarding the low qualification of drivers, driving licenses purchase, corruption in the system, etc.

 “There have been undertaken multiple steps to diminish these nuisances, but the impact didn’t change the situation drastically. The change should a fundamental one, such as to eliminate the shortcomings of the actual system of drivers’ training and examination and adjust it to the European standards in the field”, the minister Vasile Bornari declared.

The measures proposed by the MITC focus on both spheres – the process of training and examination. “It is not something invented by us recently. There are mechanisms applied for many years in dozens of states that have delivered positive results and which we would like to take up in our country. In the process of drafting these suggestions, the experience of various EU countries, as well as USA, Canada, etc. was studied”, Vasile Botnari added.

In such a manner, according to the minister of ITC, the training program at a driving school should be concise and focused on exact objectives necessary for a driver in the process of driving. To this end, the number of mandatory theoretical classes at the driving school will be adjusted to the European level average number of 30 hours of theoretical training versus current 144 hours, while maintaining the number of 40 hours of practical training.

In order to gain better practical experience, the developed concept provides the training age reduction to 16,5 years, together with the implementation of the accompanied driving mechanism. The accompanied driving shall be possible on the basis of the beginner’s driving license. The person assisting the driving should have the minimum age of 25 years and driving experience of at least 5 years.

The minimum period of time for accompanied driving, since the moment of obtaining a beginner’s driving license is suggested to be 6 months, and the minimum age of driving license issuance shall be 17 years. At the age of 18 years a person holding a beginners’ driving license, could take the exam and obtain a full driving license when a minimum number of assisted practical hours is up to 120.

An important element in order to reduce the risk of accidents in the forthcoming period of obtaining a driving license is the establishment of a probation period, during which the completed violations are monitored and the withdrawal of the driving license is carried out by means of a more streamlined procedure.

Creating one or more automated test areas to pass the practical examination,as well as the supplying of examination offices and vehicles with video cameras that will transmit online the examination process represent other measures provided by the Concept of reforming, which aims to the maximum exclusion of the human factor and will allow an objective assessment of the candidates' actual capacities.

Also, the setting of the risk perception test by means of computer video simulation of the capacity to observe and analyze the traffic situations on the road is proposed.

The concept will be exposed to the public consultations for 30 days. Subsequently, the amendments of legislative and regulatory provisions will be drafted based on the proposals and objections accumulated.

The new rules are expected to be implemented in 2017.