Malaysians will be able to apply to sit for their driving tests electronically from 1 April. The electronic driving test and training (e-Testing) outfits testing vehicles with multiple sensors, allowing testers to monitor their performance remotely.
Testing candidates will be able to choose between e-Testing and manual tests for now, with the intention of switching to a fully electronic system by 2030. Driving schools will be allowed to charge a maximum of RM100 for e-Testing, although this will come with additional benefits.
Under e-Testing, candidates will be given an RM10 rebate when they receive their learner’s driving licence. Those that fail the test will also be allowed to repeated the parts that they failed on the same day; without having to also retake the entire test.
All this testing will be monitored from a central control room, which only requires the presence of two JPJ officers. Data about the candidates will be collected automatically, and their results will be generated immediately.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke says that this system will reduce opportunities for corruption as the JPJ officer is no longer alone the car with the candidates.
As of now there are only three driving schools equipped to handle e-Testing, Surfine Hitech Driving Institution here, Berjaya Bhd Driving Training Centre in Ulu Tiram, Johor and Institut Lima Bintang Abadi Sdn Bhd in Penang.
JPJ has been developing the e-Testing system since 2020, and is now ready to roll it out nationwide. Driving schools and test centres are allowed to begin applying for the system by 1 April 2024 – and are required to fully implement it one year after receiving approval.
