GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT), Driving Exams Department (DED) has commenced with a soft launch of its ‘Digital Theory Driving Examinations, and with the full launch scheduled for September 2nd, 2019’.
The Driving Exams Department has commenced with digitization which is about a five-year process. The department started off with the digitalization of the theoretical part of the exam which has been vetted by curriculum developers used by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, and they are based on local and international standards.
The aforementioned automated process is also in use on the French side of the island as well as in Aruba and Curacao.
DED wants to move away from the current system and into the 21st century leading to a well versed and rounded driver with safety being number one on the public roadway.
Driver’s license applicants have 30 questions with a choice of 30 to 45 minutes. A number of applicants have passed the exam and have expressed satisfaction with the new system.
DED advises that applicants should not be nervous or overanxious. The timeframe to take the theoretical exam is sufficient.
The program allows the applicant to get their results instantly via email once they have entered their email address into the system. Applicants must have basic computer-use knowledge which facilitates the examination process. Under special conditions candidates with challenges can be accommodated if the candidates advised the Civil Registry in advance upon application for the exam.
The manual theoretical exam system will be phased out after September 2nd, 2019. The new system allows DED to quadruple the number of exams carried out in one day.
The process for the applicant has improved leading to a better customer service experience; the time from making the appointment to sitting the exam has been shortened considerably.
There are plans in the making to integrate the appointment system with that of the Civil Registry Department where it concerns notification of appointment via email. This should take place in the second half of 2019.
Driving schools are now more important than ever. They have been appraised of the new system that has been put in place and applicants will need to work more closer with the aforementioned in preparing for their exams.
The new system has not led to an increase in costs for applicants.
