The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) is set to roll out a new testing regime which will allow persons applying for driver’s licence in the country to be tested in the local language of their choice.
The new system, expected to start before the end of this year, seeks to address the challenges some applicants face with the Computer Based Technology (CBT) test, currently done only in English.
Deputy Director of the Driver Training Testing and Licensing at the DVLA, Kafui Semevor disclosed this at the 2019 Public Service Day celebrations in Accra, meant to highlights the contribution of public service in the development process.
After eight years of implementing the CBT test, he said, a few challenges have come up, hence the need for the system to be looked at again.
According to Mr Semevor, the DVLA has observed that a number of licence applicants cannot speak English or even use a computer mouse, hence becomes difficult for such persons to take the test.
“What we are saying is that, since we started the CBT test in 2011, everything is in English, meanwhile a good number of people are also driving but cannot pass the test because of the English language and the use of the computer mouse.
“So now, we will translate the test from English to 6 local languages to start with, the languages include; Ewe, Ga, Twi, Dagbani, Hausa and Nzema”, Semevor disclosed.
He added: “So, if you can’t speak English, you have the option to choose a local language. It will be a voice over, so you don’t need to read, the system will read the questions to you in your chosen language and all you need to do is to tab on the answer on the computer screen with your finger. The computers will also be upgraded to touch screens” he explained.
According to him, the new system will help drivers who would otherwise not pass the test simply because of language barrier.
Mr. Semevor contented that it is better to go in that direction than to keep the old barriers and force people go in for fakes licences.
He added that education is being done by some driver training institutions in the local languages already.
“The teaching is already being done in most driving schools but if you are being taught in a local language and you are not tested in a local language, obviously you will not be able to pass. So, we are doing these reforms to meet the changing needs of society,” he added.
He was hopeful the new testing regime will improve the practical testing of drivers by using simulators.
By Marshall KM Bobobee | 3news.com | Ghana