Starting from 2012, theoretical driving tests are to be more difficult, so that to reflect real life situations that drivers can come across on the road. A completely new formula of driving tests stems from the need to improve the quality of training for drivers and to make roads safer. In the findings of its audit concluded ten years ago, the NIK already signalled that driving courses and tests failed to prepare future drivers to drive well and safely.
The NIK’s audit of 2002 was carried out in forty-four driving centres where several irregularities were found, such as, for instance, allowing candidates to take practical courses before finishing theoretical ones (in every second centre), and awarding certificates on course completion to those who actually have not completed them. There were also cases found, luckily only few, of driving instructors employed in those centres who had no qualifications to train drivers. The results of driving tests also proved that candidates for divers were not prepared sufficiently - only one-third passed them at the first attempt.
The NIK also audited almost half of centres where driving tests are organised. As a result, it turned out that tests were not carried out properly in seventeen out of them. Sometimes candidates passed tests although they had made more mistakes than the regulations allowed. The NIK also observed that in some cases the examiner did not check the candidate’s identity before the test.
Auditors also verified the qualifications of examiners. In two centres, among the examiners there were persons with a criminal record for breaking traffic regulations, including driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as persons accused of taking bribes. Almost five percent of the drivers surveyed by the NIK claimed to have obtained their driving licences in exchange for a bribe.
After its audit of 2002, the NIK alarmed that corruption related to driving tests should be attributed to their very system, in which candidates are examined by one examiner only, with no other witnesses. The NIK’s observations contributed to the changes that were introduced to the regulations in this field in 2006. Since then, practical driving tests have been recorded on video.
Another mechanism that added to irregularities in the area was the financing of driving test centres. Their activities, including remunerations for examiners, were financed from fees for driving tests. Therefore, the bigger number of tests candidates took, the bigger income the centres generated.
The NIK also observed that driving licences could be easily forged. Its opinion has also been considered by the competent authorities and the driving licence paper has been modified.
