Despite a lower pass rate, administrators at Stellenbosch Traffic Services are optimistic about the improvements that the new Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) programme brings.
This is according to Michelle Fortuin, the management representative at the Stellenbosch Traffic Department.
“It’s all electronic, you can’t blame corruption,” said Fortuin.
Fortuin said that the pass rate of the written learner’s licence tests was 75%, but that this number had significantly dropped since the implementation of the CLLT programme.
“Out of 45, six people [had passed] that first week,” she said, attributing this to an upgraded questioning system.
The CLLT programme launched on 28 March, in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), and is “a major step forward in efficiency and accuracy”, said Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality.
In preparation for the CLLT tests, applicants can download the entire study manual from the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) website, said Fortuin.
The new Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) programme facility at Stellenbosch Traffic Services can accommodate 15 applicants during a test session, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Anke Spies
Upgraded questioning system
In the electronic systems, there are 1 200 possible test questions, based on the NaTIS manual, and they are more comprehensive than the written version, said Fortuin.
“Some of the people maybe were failing […] because they were not well prepared,” said Ayanda Royi, the deputy chief of traffic administration at the Stellenbosch Traffic Department.
“I think as time goes on, and if the people are downloading [the manual], results will change,” he said.
“[The CLLT] eliminates the risk of human error in marking, speeds up the overall testing process, and allows for more tests to be completed each week,” said Grobbelaar.
“If, in the past, there was an issue that the examiner made a mistake about marking, the examiner would have to recheck,” said Royi. “[Now] no one can blame the examiner if they fail.”
The Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) programme at Stellenbosch Traffic Services can be administered in any of the 11 national languages, according to Michelle Fortuin, the management representative at the Stellenbosch Traffic Department. A camera and a fingerprint scanner identifies each applicant, said Fortuin. PHOTO: Anke Spies
New technological challenges
“We cannot deny the fact that also within the country […] we do not have the same exposure to use of computers,” said Royi, who said that, for some people, it may only be their second or third time using a computer.
Additionally, if the system is experiencing an error, the entire testing session needs to be deferred to another date, said Fortuin. She also said that elderly people struggle with the new system.
“I think it’s the best and [most] efficient system,” said Royi. “But it’s just a case that the people need to be prepared.”
Despite the challenges, Fortuin said that “people love the system, although they failed”.
The new Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) programme was launched at the Stellenbosch Traffic Department on 28 March, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Anke Spies