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Road test revamp

Putting the brakes on privatized driver’s licence road tests in Alberta is a welcome and long-overdue move.

Putting the brakes on privatized driver’s licence road tests in Alberta is a welcome and long-overdue move.

As of March 1, all driver examinations will be conducted by government employees – a significant shift in what Transportation Minister Brian Mason has called “a Wild West kind of system that has not served Albertans well.”

Currently, there are 153 private examiners across the province running road tests for a system that has been in the hands of private registry agencies since 1993. Mason says that system has been plagued by poor service, inconsistent fees, reduced access in rural areas and a lack of integrity.

On average, Alberta Transportation receives seven complaints about driver examinations every weekday.

It is clear that Alberta – the only province with a completely privatized road test framework – can no longer afford to maintain the status quo. It is imperative that there is greater oversight to ensure driver exams are conducted fairly and professionally, and that standardized fees are implemented.

It is also not surprising that ongoing complaints have eroded public confidence in a system responsible for approving all licences to operate motorcycles, cars or semi-trucks on provincial roads. Many motorists, worried for their safety, often wonder if licensed drivers are qualified to be behind the wheel.

Those concerns spiked after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash on April 6 that killed 16 people, including four St. Albert Raiders Hockey Club alumni. The truck driver charged in that deadly collision worked for a Calgary-based company, and the tragedy catapulted the issue of driver qualifications into the public spotlight.

Mason, who promised road test changes following the April crash, is hopeful the major overhaul will restore confidence.

“A government-run road test system will ensure high standards for safe, consistent, reliable service across Alberta,” the transportation minister said when he unveiled the planned changes on Oct. 2.

The province said it will cost $2.7 million in operating expenses in 2018-19, and $15.9 million annually thereafter, but Mason explained the new system will be “revenue-neutral,” since costs will be offset by the standardized fees from road tests.

The cost of a test for a Class 5 licence, which is held by the majority of Albertans, will be $83. The average cost of a test under the privatized system is $89.50.

In St. Albert, the planned enhancements to driver road tests garnered support from a group of local moviegoers Thursday evening.

“Having the province more involved will be good, I think,” said Allison Wright, who moved to St. Albert in April. “Keeping a closer eye on the licensing aspect, that’s a great idea … It’ll make for safer streets.”

St. Albertan Bev Ford said if the system isn’t working properly, the government can’t ignore it.

“That’s what they’re there for, aren’t they? To make things better. If the NDP can improve something, have at it,” she said.

Only time will tell if the Notley government’s switch from privatization of driver’s exams will result in a smooth or bumpy ride for a party that is hoping for re-election in the spring, but no cost is too high to protect Albertans on provincial roads.

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