THE e-testing system, which gauges a candidate’s performance via an electronic driving test and generates the test result in real-time, will be launched in April, Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general Zailani Hashim said.

He said the automated driving test and training system is now at the proof-of-concept stage and is expected to be launched during RTD’s 76th celebration.

He said the number of testers will be reduced when the e-testing system is implemented because it needs only two testers, compared with seven currently, as the process will be assisted by tech gadgets.

“The results of the tests will be known immediately, compared with two weeks currently,” he told the media after the 2022 New Year Mandate Ceremony in Putrajaya today.

Zailani said the e-testing system still involves class learning, circuit and road sessions but the officer and candidate do not sit together in the car during the circuit session while the other two are unchanged.

He said the system has been adopted in countries such as South Korea and Japan, and Malaysia is also heading in that direction to boost the service efficiency and public trust in the driving licence testing system.

He said RTD is striving towards the digitisation of motor vehicle and driving licences to enable its businesses to be conducted via hybrid in stages.

“This can ease counter congestions. Renewal can also be done online anywhere and at any time,” he said.

Zailani also said RTD targeted the collection of revenue this year to rise to RM4.12 billion from RM4 billion last year with the digitisation effort.

He said the department will receive 100 additional kiosks this year to be stationed at its branches nationwide and selected locations such as the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister’s Department as well as 20 mobile vans.

“With the availability of the facility and additional budget, I am confident that the aspiration of RTD to collect a revenue of RM4.12 billion for 2022 can be met,” he said.

Zailani said the department collected RM7.4 million during the period when 80% discount was offered on all summonses in conjunction with the Malaysian Family Aspiration celebration, which was then extended until last December 31. – Bernama, January 17, 2022.