The Department of Transport (DOT) has revealed plans to use smart technologies to combat the scourge of fraudulent driving licences and roadworthy certificates in South Africa.
Responding to a Parliamentary question posed by the Freedom Front Plus, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, said the DOT planned to introduce technologies that would also integrate with systems operated by the Department of Home Affairs.
The Minister said her department was currently in the process of rolling out Smart Enrolment Units at all Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) throughout the country, following a successful pilot phase at the two centres operated by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
The first phase involves modernising the enrolment processes, including real-time integration with the Department of Home Affairs to verify applicants, as well as integrated SAPS clearances for Professional Driving Permits.
This software will also prove instrumental in detecting people who are not in the country legally.
Furthermore, the RTMC is developing an electronic Driving Licence test application system, which digitises the test while also introducing features such as biometric identification and geofencing.
The pilot phase for this, the department says, is expected to commence before the end of this financial year. A computerised Learner’s Licence Test has already been rolled out in seven provinces, with the Western Cape set for inclusion later this year.
The DOT is also overseeing the development of digitised vehicle roadworthy testing, which includes multi-factor authentication for examiners and geofencing of tests.
This project is being deployed in a phased approach, starting with Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
Creecy said the Department was aware of the backlogs affecting Driving Licence Testing Centres as well as vehicle testing centres, adding that it was “looking at a number of smart digital solutions to modernise and more efficiently offer” these services to the public.
IOL