MALAYSIA faces a pressing shortage of driving instructors, a situation exacerbated by stringent quotas and existing qualification requirements set by the Road Transport Department (RTD), according to the Road Safety Expert Association.

It founder Jamil M.Aruf said the shortage had resulted in extended waiting times, particularly in urban areas such as the Klang Valley.

He said, on average, candidates had to wait three to five months for their training slots.

Jamil said there was a need for a policy revision to mitigate the shortage.

“RTD currently mandates one instructor per car, that ensures close supervision during one-on-one coaching. But this ratio is too restrictive.

“We suggest increasing it to one instructor for up to four cars. This adjustment could significantly reduce the backlog and waiting times for driving lessons,” he was quoted as saying in a report in The Sun.

Jamil said the RTD quota of one instructor per car or lorry and one instructor for up to five motorcycles needed to be revised.

He noted that many driving instructors were nearing retirement age, and there was a lack of younger individuals entering the profession to replace them.

To address the shortage of instructors, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that starting this month, individuals without Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification could apply for the Driving School Instructors’ Certificate.

This temporary exemption, effective until December 31, aims to allow experienced drivers without an SPM certificate to become certified instructors.

Loke said currently there are 255 driving institutes throughout the country that serve approximately 700,000 potential drivers annually and employ over 15,000 instructors and staff members. – July 4, 2024.