In a bid to combat corruption, South Africa's Road Traffic Management Corporation reports a staggering drop in learner driver pass rates, from 68% to 40%, following the introduction of a computerised testing system aimed at ensuring road safety.
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THE Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) reports a dramatic drop in the learner driver pass rate from 68% to 40%, attributing this change to a new computerised testing system aimed at combating corruption in the licensing process.
The shift is attributed to the phased introduction of computerised learner licence testing (CLLT) systems, first rolled out in 2021, which has fundamentally changed how aspiring drivers are assessed.
The technology was a direct response to widespread fraud where officials at testing centres manipulated the process.
“Before the introduction of the system, officials knew which question papers would be used and were able to fraudulently assist learners by providing them with answers beforehand, enabling them to pass without effort,” stated the RTMC on Thursday.
The new CLLT system eliminates this vulnerability. Question papers are now randomly selected, with officials having no prior knowledge of the content, and the system automatically allocates marks, removing human interference from the final pass or fail decision.
The RTMC has previously highlighted the deep-seated nature of this corruption, often involving officials, examiners, and driving school instructors colluding for profit.
In October 2025, a coordinated investigation led to the arrest of two driving licence examiners and a driving school instructor in Limpopo and Gauteng. Evidence suggested examiners were accepting payments ranging from R3,000 to R6,000 to fraudulently approve licences, completely bypassing proper testing protocols.
“This conduct undermines the integrity of our road safety systems and places all road users at risk,” said Simon Zwane, RTMC spokesperson, at the time of the arrests.
The arrests followed similar, large-scale operations in previous years, including a major crackdown in January 2023 that broke a corruption ring in the North West province involving examiners and driving school operators in Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, and Stillfontein.
The ongoing battle against corruption has often exposed elaborate schemes, including driving schools organising “jockeys”, who are qualified drivers that undertook tests on behalf of applicants. This was a key factor contributing to the shocking state of road safety.
Given that over 80% of fatal crashes result from human error, a driver's competence in vehicle handling is essential.
While the new pass rate is significantly lower, it is seen as a truer reflection of competence.
The RTMC acknowledges that some “unrepentant officials are devising new methods to corruptly assist learners”, but confirmed that several recent arrests have been made, and the process of identifying beneficiaries of such fraud is underway.
The corporation has issued a stern warning to both officials and the public: “The RTMC warns aspirant vehicle learner drivers to desist from paying licensing officials to assist them to pass the tests. Anyone found engaging would be arrested and would face criminal charges with severe consequences when found guilty.”
The public is encouraged to report any fraudulent or corrupt activity to assist the unit in its mission: National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0861 762 847 (08617NaTIS) or [email protected].