Driving Schools want Police to Stop Driving Tests

By: Andrew Kareba

Rwanda’s driving schools proprietors have appealed to the national police to consider suspending general tests of provisional and permanent permits. The move will oblige all driving permit seekers to undergo training from credible driving schools.

Rumashana Alphonse, Director of United Driving School says he appreciates the National police’s technologic progress in issuance of permits but suggests that Police should sensitize permit applicants to attend driving schools.

He further observed that all applicants should attend final tests in driving schools where they can gain more knowledge about traffic rules.

The Traffic Police Chief, Vincent Sano said, the process of registering people using new technology is ongoing since February 2011.

He further told the school proprietors that, mass traffic tests would be abolished and whoever needs a license in future will be asked to first attend a driving school.

In order to reduce a huge number of people in need of driving permits, Sano said: “Three general tests shall be conducted in a year and two monthly tests shall also be done at the invitation of driving schools,.”

The Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana added that national police’s vision is to fasten new technologies in daily activities.

Gasana further urged driving school owners to increase their presence in other provinces outside Kigali City and promised the public that, the delay of driving license will be soon solved within a month after the test.

Habimana François, director of a driving school in Musanze District says, some people easily pass driving tests with the knowledge of traffic rules which could protect Rwandans from road accidents.

National police changed the questioning method using “Yes” or “No” in answering which gives more work to driving schools in teaching traffic rules.

The Acting Director General of Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) Eng. Gatarayiha Régis said that: “The inspection team of driving schools will be set up and will include RURA, MININFRA and RRA to ensure quality standards”.

Police says so far, the registered driving schools in the country are 23 and at least 30 more are set to be established countrywide in 2011