Problems with South Africa's K53 driving test system

Daniel Puchert

Daniel Puchert

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Scrap K53

South Africa’s abhorrent traffic safety, and the worldwide reputation of our drivers as incompetent and dangerous, should be a clear indication that something is wrong with the way we licence new drivers.

Anyone who has interacted with the K53 driving test system, be it as an instructor, learner or tester, has had much to say about how terrible it is.
 
Written by Nicholas Woode-Smith, an economic historian, policy analyst and author at the Free Market Foundation
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... and someone who has to continue to take the bus for the next few months
 
Daniel Puchert said:
Scrap K53

South Africa’s abhorrent traffic safety, and the worldwide reputation of our drivers as incompetent and dangerous, should be a clear indication that something is wrong with the way we licence new drivers.

Anyone who has interacted with the K53 driving test system, be it as an instructor, learner or tester, has had much to say about how terrible it is.
Click to expand...
Sure, Daniel....

It has absolutely nothing to do with corrupt officials selling licenses, lazy officials who couldn't be bothered to properly assess people, nothing to do with traffic officials pulling people over to solicit a bribe rather than writing a fine to punish those who disobey the rules of the road.......


Lets get the basics fixed before we go blame the K53.. What's going to happen if K53 is replaced by something else, but we still have corrupt officials at every step of the way..? The same bloody situation we are in right now........
 
WAslayer said:
Sure, Daniel....

It has absolutely nothing to do with corrupt officials selling licenses, lazy officials who couldn't be bothered to properly assess people, nothing to do with traffic officials pulling people over to solicit a bribe rather than writing a fine to punish those who disobey the rules of the road.......


Lets get the basics fixed before we go blame the K53.. What's going to happen if K53 is replaced by something else, but we still have corrupt officials at every step of the way..? The same bloody situation we are in right now........
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Not going to happen, Cadre's are "thirsty" - not going to change
 
WAslayer said:
Sure, Daniel....

It has absolutely nothing to do with corrupt officials selling licenses, lazy officials who couldn't be bothered to properly assess people, nothing to do with traffic officials pulling people over to solicit a bribe rather than writing a fine to punish those who disobey the rules of the road.......


Lets get the basics fixed before we go blame the K53.. What's going to happen if K53 is replaced by something else, but we still have corrupt officials at every step of the way..? The same bloody situation we are in right now........
Click to expand...

Danielbot didn't write it. Another idiot did
 
WAslayer said:
It has absolutely nothing to do with corrupt officials selling licenses, lazy officials who couldn't be bothered to properly assess people, nothing to do with traffic officials pulling people over to solicit a bribe rather than writing a fine to punish those who disobey the rules of the road.......


Lets get the basics fixed before we go blame the K53.. What's going to happen if K53 is replaced by something else, but we still have corrupt officials at every step of the way..? The same bloody situation we are in right now........
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This and only this.
 
I wrote the K53 when I was a teenager. It seemed fine. Teaches you to check your blind spots etc.. Mostly it's just common sense stuff.

That insane 10 and 2 on the steering wheel at all times and feeding the wheel through from one hand to the next it a little stupid, but I wouldn't say it's properly dangerous or anything.
 
porchrat said:
I wrote the K53 when I was a teenager. It seemed fine. Teaches you to check your blind spots etc.. Mostly it's just common sense stuff.

That insane 10 and 2 on the steering wheel at all times and feeding the wheel through from one hand to the next it a little stupid, but I wouldn't say it's properly dangerous or anything.
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If there's anything to complain about it's the inadequacies of the South African motorcycle driving test. It's an absolute joke. There is only a yard component to the test, the examiner does not even take you out on the road to test if you can actually handle a motorcycle in real-world conditions. Not to mention the motorcycle learner's license which basically allows you to ride the biggest motorcycle you can get your hands on as soon as you've written the theory test and go wrap yourself around the nearest pole.

I think the car test is just fine. If you can't pull away from a dead stop without rolling your car then you deserve to fail.
 
deweyzeph said:
If there's anything to complain about it's the inadequacies of the South African motorcycle driving test. It's an absolute joke. There is only a yard component to the test, the examiner does not even take you out on the road to test if you can actually handle a motorcycle in real-world conditions. Not to mention the motorcycle learner's license which basically allows you to ride the biggest motorcycle you can get your hands on as soon as you've written the theory test and go wrap yourself around the nearest pole.

I think the car test is just fine. If you can't pull away from a dead stop without rolling your car then you deserve to fail.
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I haven't done the motorcycle test but didn't realise there was no open road portion to the test.

I suppose logistically it's awkward to do... does the tester sit behind on the same motorcycle? Does he ride along next to you on another motorcycle? How does he make notes as you ride like he would in a car?
 
People memorise answers for learners tests. They dont even know what the signs means. The so called Learners classes simply give people the answers sheets to memorised. We should have computer tests with randomised questions, then people can only passed if they understand the rules of the road, road signs, road markings etc

Testing centres, should have their own cars with data logging and cameras installed for all tests.

This should make it harder for corrupt officials. Its open secret that at some licence centres, you cannot pass your drivers without paying the traffic officer something.
 
porchrat said:
I haven't done the motorcycle test but didn't realise there was no open road portion to the test.

I suppose logistically it's awkward to do... does the tester sit behind on the same motorcycle? Does he ride along next to you on another motorcycle? How does he make notes as you ride like he would in a car?
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Back in the day the officer used to ride his bike along and you would have to follow. Sometimes they would test you and gesture for you to ride alongside him which is illegal.
 
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1. Enforcing of road rules, not just speed traps.
2. Corrupt officials should be jailed.
3. People who are constantly fined and have more than a certain number of accidents should be independently tested at another licence centre.
 
porchrat said:
I haven't done the motorcycle test but didn't realise there was no open road portion to the test.

I suppose logistically it's awkward to do... does the tester sit behind on the same motorcycle? Does he ride along next to you on another motorcycle? How does he make notes as you ride like he would in a car?
Click to expand...

Basically the guy stands next to the road/yard area and watches you. You have to swerve to the left, then to the right, ride along a demarcated path and thats it basically. Demonstrate the controls in front of them. And its done
 
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