LICENCE TESTING GOES DIGITAL: STUDENT EXPERIENCES 

Akhona Maphumulo 

@akhonamaphumulo9

 

Getting a licence in South Africa may be becoming a different experience for applicants following the introduction of computerised learner’s licence testing systems aimed at reducing corruption and improving road safety.

 

According to Cape Town ETC, learner’s licence pass rates declined from 60% to 40% following the rollout of computerised learner’s licence testing systems introduced nationally in 2021. The publication reported that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) linked the decline to reduced opportunities for corruption and cheating rather than increased test difficulty.

 

For years, concerns and allegations around bought licences, leaked answers and unfair assistance during learner’s licence testing have circulated publicly. Authorities argue that the introduction of computerised testing is intended to improve transparency and encourage applicants to rely on knowledge rather than outside influence.

 

The Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) system formed part of broader efforts to strengthen licensing centres and improve road safety outcomes. North-West University (NWU) students and prospective students shared their experiences of obtaining licences under changing testing conditions. 

 

Abena Amoa, a third-year Urban and Regional Planning student, said obtaining her driver’s licence in April 2022 was both stressful and challenging. Although she eventually passed, Amoa said the testing environment affected her confidence during the assessment. She explained that the examiner appeared strict and not fully attentive, which increased her anxiety and made completing the test feel more difficult.

 

Amoa added that she struggled with certain parts of the assessment and found learning to drive difficult because it was a completely new skill that required more time and practice. She further described the overall licensing process as lengthy and emotionally demanding. 

 

According to Amoa, delays and perceptions of corruption created uncertainty among applicants and added pressure throughout the process. Another challenge, she said, was the cost and availability of driving lessons. Amoa explained that driving lessons are expensive and often limited, placing pressure on learners to gain confidence and master driving skills within only a few sessions.

 

Prospective North-West University student Callum Fleet offered a different perspective after obtaining his learner’s licence on 5 March 2026 and his driver’s licence on 26 May 2026. “It was quite quick to complete and was easy to understand,” Fleet said. 

 

Fleet said one of the main advantages of the computerised system is that it reduces opportunities for dishonest practices. “It is way harder to cheat on the tests because the questions are randomised daily,” he said. Fleet added that stricter and more secure testing measures could improve road safety by ensuring that applicants pass based on their understanding of road rules rather than outside assistance.

 

As licensing systems continue evolving through technology, student experiences suggest that while some applicants find the process more demanding and stressful, others view the changes as necessary to promote fairness, accountability and safer roads.

 

Learner’s Licence Computerised (Source: Gorge Municipality). 

 

Edited by Isabel Burgers