The Rwanda National Police (RNP) testing and licensing department has announced the official commencement of e-driving tests, the ‘Driving eTesting System,’ starting Monday, May 6. The tests will be conducted at Busanza Automated Driving Test Centre, in Kicukiro District. According to RNP, this innovative system integrates GPS technology, car motion tracking formulas, and virtual line plotting technology, to modernize the traditional method of assessing driving skills through automation. In an interview with The New Times, Boniface Rutikanga, the RNP spokesperson, shed light on what the public needs to know ahead of the official launch of the new system. ALSO READ: Police unveils ‘e-test driving license system’ Types of driving tests According to the RNP, the driving tests conducted at the centre will include computer-based provisional tests and definitive driving tests for categories A, B, C, D, and D1. The registration for these tests started on May 3 through the Irembo platform. Charges Rutikanga emphasized that the charges for driving tests (both provisional and definitive) remain unchanged. Driving test candidates will pay the same fees as before. The usual prices are Rwf5,000 for a provisional test and Rwf10,000 for a definitive test. However, the prices for hiring vehicles to be used during definitive driving tests will be lower than those usually paid at driving schools. He said that the candidates could find updated prices on the Irembo platform, which vary depending on the category. On the Irembo platform, for instance, under category A, the price is set at Rwf26,000, in category B, the price is Rwf55,000, covering both test fare and vehicle hire. Usually, after obtaining a provisional driving license for Rwf5,000 and acquiring the definitive code for Rwf10,000, the cost of hiring a car at a driving school is Rwf50,000. Eligibility for e-driving test Rutikanga disclosed that participants must have completed the required driving skills training. However, the candidates who have already acquired a code will not be eligible for the e-driving test unless they apply for another code. Additionally, applicants must bring their original national identity card when coming to do the exams. Driving test stages He pointed out that candidates will undergo the usual driving testing stages, including driving through roundabouts three times, emergency braking, gear changes (manual transmission), and navigating through obstacles (ZigZig). Rutikanga said that to familiarize participants with the centre, RNP would soon upload a tutorial video covering the test stages on its social media platforms and will keep it on display on the Centre's screens. ALSO READ: Inside Busanza driving license test center What sets the centre apart? Rutikanga highlighted that the centre introduced a smart driving test, allowing participants to choose their preferred testing time. Candidates will no longer have to wait all day, as one hour will suffice to complete the test. He emphasized the convenience, intelligence, and transparency of this approach, stating that candidates will wait comfortably indoors until their turn comes, among other benefits. ALSO READ: Police sheds light on automatic driving test rollout, urges drivers to mind traffic rules Meanwhile, the new centre’s operations come after cabinet gave the green light to the use of automatic transmission in driving tests, an amendment that is pending publication in the national gazette and implementation.
