Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Ministry of Works and Transport has been criticised for not implementing regulations for driving schools in Namibia.
Issues like unqualified instructors and inadequate training materials have highlighted concerns about the quality and standards of these schools.
Road safety activist, Felix Tjozongoro criticised the Ministry’s lack of control over driving schools, which he believes has led to an increase in road fatalities. He stated that the ministry has failed to enforce existing regulations, allowing poorly trained drivers on the roads.
He referenced the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund crash and claims report of 2023, which states that road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among children and youth aged 5 to 29 years.
According to the report, two-thirds of these deaths occur among people of working age (18–59 years). Monthly reports average 250 crashes, with December seeing the highest number.
He proposed that the minister establish a driving school training institution and issue instructor diplomas only to those who meet the required standards.
“Establish a driving school training institution, issue driving school instructor diplomas to those who attend and pass the training, and revoke diplomas from schools that fail to adhere to set standards. If the Minister can regulate taxis, the trucking industry, and other transport sectors, why neglect the driving school industry, which produces potential drivers,” he said.
After identifying a gap in the industry, a driving school instructor—who wished to remain anonymous—transitioned from being a taxi driver to founding a driving school.
“I saw my friend making more money as a driving school instructor than as a taxi driver. I paid off my car and turned it into a driving school car. And it was easy since I had a license,” he said.
He charges N$300 for two hours of training and up to N$3,000 for 20 hours, covering both automatic and manual driving.
Additionally, he charges N$700 for taking learners to the NaTIS testing centre in Windhoek and up to N$2,500 for Karibib.
Section 48(1) of the Road Traffic Act requires instructors to hold a driving instructor certificate. The Road Traffic Regulations, specifically Regulations 138 (1) and 141 (1), mandate the renewal of this certificate every two years, requiring instructors to undergo training and testing at an approved centre.
The deputy minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Veiko Nekundi, did not respond to questions sent by the time of publication.
