Joseph C. Camilleri, Għajnsielem
Prospective drivers wait in Gozo
One of the irregularities we Gozitans suffer is the method in which, and the waiting period when trying to obtain a driving licence.
This long procedure begins when you first call the ADT in Malta for an appointment for your theory test in Gozo. Often, the appointment given is for two or three weeks later.
The reason being that, while in Malta the theory test is done on a daily basis and without an appointment, in Gozo this takes place every two weeks. This is due to the fact that the test is carried out by someone who comes from Malta. Besides, if you fail your theory test in Malta you can do it again in no time, however, if you sit for the theory test in Gozo and you fail you have to wait another two weeks to do the test again. The theory test over, you then need to apply for the actual driving test. One has to apply at the licence office in Victoria where, frequently, you are told that you have to wait for six to nine weeks because of the amount of students waiting to do the test.
If you do the licence test and you fail for something silly while under stress or because of some arrogant driver or pedestrian that ignore the L plate on your car, whether you like it or not, besides paying another fee you have to wait for another six to nine weeks to do another driving test.
Here I must salute the driving examiners, both men and women, who are truly professionals in their job although, in some instances, they are a bit too harsh with the students. But, there again, they know their job and what it takes to be a good driver.
Allow me now to make some suggestions.
We need more frequent driving tests, at least three or four times a week in order to cut the waiting list down to an acceptable waiting time because three examiners twice a week, that is, 36 driving tests, are not enough to accommodate 250 students who are waiting to do their driving test. One must bear in mind that a number of these students do fail as well! And, thus, they would have to re-apply for another test.
More examiners need to be hired. The examiners should be paid overtime for driving tests on Saturdays.
I hope this effort helps to solve this matter once for all and that things do change for the better.
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Janet Bayes
Sep 18th 2009, 09:34
Whilst appluding Mr. camilleris comments as regards the inequalities of living in Gozo, I really must protest at his thoughts on arrogant drivers and pedestrians.
So, as a driver with a licence, does Mr. Camilleri think that these arrogant drivers and pedestrians disappear into the ether when one has been successful in passing ones test? The test is performed on real roads in real conditions for the very reason that these are the conditions you will encounter as a driver. NO allowance should be made simply because your car displays L plates.