PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) plans to implement its automated driving test or “E-Testing” system for driving schools nationwide by June.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Shaharuddin Khalid said that under the new system, learner drivers will no longer have a JPJ officer sitting next to them during their driving tests, as this would all be done remotely.

“During the driving tests, the candidate will still have to go through the normal circuit.

“However, the examiner will no longer be in the car and will monitor the test from a control room at the driving institute.

“If the candidate bumps into a pole or commits any other mistake, the officer in the control room will know immediately.

“Through this initiative, we will be able to lessen human-to-human interactions and increase the integrity of our department.

“This is also part of our digitalisation efforts, ” Shaharuddin told a press conference after attending his department’s monthly assembly here Thursday (Jan 23).

The automated system would also be able to reduce waiting times for learner drivers as they would be able to secure driving tests more quickly.

“One of the complaints we continue to receive is that students find it difficult to secure test dates as there are no testers, ” said Shaharuddin.

He said the e-testing system is currently being implemented as a pilot project at three driving institutes in Johor.

Besides automated driving tests, JPJ’s “table tests” are also on their way to being fully computerised.

Shaharuddin said a total of 122 driving institutes in the country have applied to open computerised examination centres at their premises.

Last year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the automated driving test would be introduced to prevent instances of “Kopi O” licences and “guaranteed pass packages”.