The practice test for obtaining a driver’s license will be sat as many times as necessary. Until now, if the applicants didn’t pass the practice test by three attempts within 90 calendar days of the day the theory test was taken, they were obliged to sit again the theory test and pay the required taxes. The changes take effect on August 1, IPN reports.
ICT Minister Pavel Filip told a news conference that the changes are aimed at reducing corruption. “The goal of these amendments is to offer a new seatbelt in traffic by excluding corruption in the process of assessing applicants for a driver’s license,” he stated.
Under the amended regulations, the exam will be taken at any examination office of the country, while the driving schools will no longer play the role of intermediaries. “We thus prevent office functionaries from reaching illegal agreements with driving school managers,” stated Pavel Filip.
The persons deprived of driver’s license will be able to receive it back without taking the driving test again, when the penalty term expires. “If a person was banned from driving after caught once driving under the influence, it does not mean that this person does not have the knowledge and experience needed to drive a vehicle,” said the minister.
The number of examination offices was decreased from 36 to 17. All the offices and units of transport of the driving schools will be equipped with audio and video monitoring systems during exams. “A team consisting of 12 inspectors will strictly monitor the offices’ work by carrying out unplanned inspections,” said the minister, adding that the inspectors will have salaries of 10,000 lei so as not to be tempted to take bribe.
The new regulations also provide that the drivers will not get category D if they hadn’t had a lower category for at least two years. The minors will be admitted to driving schools one year before they come of age.
About 70,000-80,000 driver’s licenses are issued in Moldova annually.
