New applicants for UAE driving licenses who repeatedly fail the test place the blame on 'incompetent' instructors.
Al Ain residents have suggested that all driving instructors be made accountable, especially those with a high failure rate.
They also have demanded that modern driving institutes, such as those in Dubai, be set up. Such institutes with their own premises will be able to teach the applicants scientifically and properly, felt many prospective drivers.
Police, however, encouraged applicants of driving licenses to complain about their instructors if they feel that they were not given proper training.
But learner drivers want police to take action based on the success rate of instructors. Learners said less than 10 per cent of them succeed at tests each day, while the rest are forced to go for additional training and try their luck two months later.
They said the majority of driving schools in operating in Al Ain lack the minimum level of professionalism. "There are several entrepreneurs who have set up driving institutes with just a vehicle," one applicant driver said.
"They make huge profits, because they have no overheads. The vehicle owner acts as the manager, instructor and office administrator all rolled in one. And he blames the student everytime he fails at the test. The poor applicant is forced to go with the instructor for a renewal," complained the learner who refused to name himself.
An official from the Traffic Police Licensing Department said licenses were only given to people who demonstrated good driving ability and road sense and there was no discrimination.Right to complain
Under traffic law, the official said, learner drivers had the right to complain to the authorities if they felt they had not received proper training from their instructor and experienced unnecessary delays.
Abdul Qayyum, a Pakistani, said he had taken the test 24 times over the past few years without ever passing. "I used to drive a truck on Karachi's busy streets and never had an accident. I don't know why the police won't give me a licence after all my attempts to pass. Not only am I highly frustrated, but this is costing me valuable time and money."
Jerry Tundag, a Filipino said the authorities should consider setting up a regulated driving school similar to the ones in Dubai. "I have friends in Dubai who managed to obtain a licence in a short time, whereas it took my other friends in Al Ain a lot longer."
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