PUTRAJAYA, May 25 – Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook has instructed all driving institutes to list driving test charges in their receipt to avoid any hidden charges and corrupt practices to obtain ‘kopi-o’ licences and ‘lesen terbang’.

The new minister said the measure that would take effect immediately, was to prevent driving institutes from offering ‘pakej sampai lulus’ (guaranteed pass packages) which cost up to RM2,200.

“Students cannot take a package that exceeds the rate set by the RTD … there will be no more paying for your licences to be approved,” he said in a press conference after meeting with the management of the Road Transport Department (RTD) here today.

According to Loke, the fee for a B2 class licence for a motorcycle with an engine capacity not exceeding 250cc is RM350, to get a D class (manual transmission car) licence is RM1,150, and for a DA class (automatic transmission car) licence, it is RM1,250.

“Consumers are entitled to know what they are paying for. Driving institutes can collect additional fees such as for the shuttle service to and fro from the house to the institute but it’s just an option and the service should be displayed on the receipt. Driving institutes cannot force students to take a set package,” he said.

“For those who violate these rules, I will not hesitate to revoke the driving institute’s licence, which needs to be renewed every year,” he said, as well as urging students to reject and report those who impose higher costs.

Meanwhile, Loke said a pilot project on automation will be implemented before the end of this year and once it is done, everything on the circuit will be computerised and monitored from a control room.

For road examinations, Loke said the driving institutes would be directed to fix dashboard cameras in cars, adding that the cost of doing this would be borne by the individual institutes.

“It cannot be denied that driving students who refuse to give bribes are intentionally failed. We will make it compulsory for all driving institutes to instal dashboard cameras. The camera system would give driving students a chance to appeal if they feel they have been unfairly failed by their instructors,” he said. 

Loke said the dashboard camera installation will be implemented in stages and RTD will give instructions and guidelines on the matter. — Bernama

Pocket News

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