Last year, less than half of the total number of candidates who took the knowledge test obtained a category B driver's license, and there were 11 objections to the theoretical and practical part of the exam.
From the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, a department headed by Anđela Jakšić Stojanović since November last year, in their response to "Vijesta" they confirmed the unofficial allegations that passing the driving test is more difficult than before, said that there are more reasons for this, but also said that the passing of candidates it should not be any kind of indicator and goal to strive for.
"Because the goal of all the factors involved in the process of taking the driving test is not for the candidates to pass or fail the driving test, but to evaluate all candidates fairly and correctly, and for those who pass the driving test to be ready to actively and safely participate in traffic," they said. "News".
They also said that "the reason for the lower pass rate of candidates should not be sought in the commissions for taking the driving test, but in the readiness of the candidates themselves to take the driving test".
62 licensed driving schools
According to the data submitted to the newsroom at the request for free access to information, (SPI), the Ministry issued decisions for the operation of 62 driving schools as of August last year.
Some of the schools have a license for all, and each of these 62 driving schools has a license to carry out the education program for training to drive a motor vehicle and B category.
Specifically for the B category, as they said from the Department of Education, Science and Innovation, in 2023, 17.286 driving tests were conducted.
"And 45 percent of them received a driver's license of this category," they told "Vijesti".
The organization and implementation of driving tests are the responsibility of that department in accordance with the Law on Road Traffic Safety. That department, according to the same Law, also forms an examination committee, which consists of two authorized examiners - a representative of the state administration body responsible for education affairs and a representative of the Police Administration, as well as a representative of the driving school.
"Based on that, currently in Montenegro, driving tests are conducted by 15 examination commissions," said the Ministry.
The manner in which the driving test is conducted is prescribed by the Law on Road Traffic Safety, the Rulebook on the Closer Method of Organizing and Conducting the Driving Test, and other regulations that regulate that area.
The Department of Education explains that the examination board informs every candidate who fails the theoretical part of the test, in accordance with Article 13 of the Rulebook on the closer way of organizing and conducting the driving test, the reasons why he did not pass, and at his request, allows inspection of the test and record. about the theoretical exam.
"Also, in accordance with Article 23 of the same Rulebook, after passing the practical part of the driving test, the examination committee informs the candidate of the result and the reasons why he did not pass the driving test, and at his request allows access to the minutes from the practical part of the driving test. Driving tests, in accordance with Article 240 of the Law on Road Traffic Safety, are conducted by two authorized examiners and a representative of the driving school, who sign the minutes at the end of the theoretical and practical part, which is proof that they agree with the given assessment of the candidate", they told "Vijesta" .
Objections are not frequent
In the answer they submitted to the editors in November, they said that the department had received eight objections to the theoretical part of the exam and three to the practical part of the driving test in the previous year.
Objections, they say, cannot be linked to one committee or member of the examination committee.
"And they referred to the path of movement that was determined for them for the practical part of the exam, the duration of it, the explanation of a certain traffic situation that occurred during the practical part of the exam or was shown in a picture on the test. The method of organizing and conducting the driving test was explained to all candidates, and the reasons why a certain situation was scored in a certain way were additionally explained," they told the newsroom.
392 exams were conducted last year for plug-in vehicles (E category), 85 percent of candidates passed
Regarding the passing of the candidates on the driving tests, as they said, it must be taken into account that in the previous period there was also a change in the conditions in which the driving tests are conducted - candidates now spend more time on public roads.
"Passing the practical part of the driving test which is conducted on a public road for A, A1, A2, B1, B, B+E and T categories of motor vehicles takes at least 25 minutes, while for vehicle categories C1, C, C1+E, C+ E, D, D1, D+E, D1+E takes at least 45 minutes. "Only the increase in the duration of the driving test, which is conducted on public roads, has made it more difficult for candidates to pass it," said the Ministry.
Candidates' passability, they add, should not be any kind of indicator or goal to be aspired to. As they said, the goal of those involved in the testing process is not for candidates to pass or fail the driver's test, but to evaluate all candidates fairly and correctly and for those who pass the driver's test to be ready to actively and safely participate in traffic.
"For this reason, all the activities we carry out are aimed at increasing road traffic safety," said the Ministry of Education.
New regulations for both schools and commissions
The practical part of the training, for the B category of motor vehicles, which is taken by the largest number of candidates, includes 30 hours of practical and 40 hours of theoretical training.
The class lasts 60 minutes.
According to the Law, if the candidate has not passed the practical part of the driver's test in three attempts, he is obliged to complete additional practical training for drivers, which cannot be shorter than five hours, before each subsequent test.
In 2023, according to the data of the Ministry, 1.330 tests for A, A1 and A2 categories of motor vehicles were organized in Montenegro, where the percentage of those who successfully passed the driving test is 70 percent. For the B category, 17.286 driving tests were conducted, and 45 percent of them received a driver's license of this category. For category C, i.e. trucks, 1.017 tests were conducted, and 74 percent passed successfully). For buses, 234 exams were conducted last year, which 77 percent of candidates successfully passed, and for E category, i.e. trailers, 392 exams were conducted, of which 85 percent of candidates successfully passed.
"As for the theoretical part, out of a total of 16.705 candidates who took the theoretical part of the exam, 52 percent of them successfully passed and acquired the condition to take the practical part of the driving test", stated Anđela Jakšić Stojanović from the department in a response to "Vijesta".
According to the data for the year 2022, when 70 driving schools had a license to operate, a total of 17.256 theory tests were organized, where the passing rate was 65 percent (11.286), and 17.941 driving tests were organized, which were passed by 11.006 candidates. , or 61 percent.
The amount of compensation for members of examination commissions is prescribed by the Decision on determining the lowest amount of compensation for the costs of driver training and, according to the Ministry, "does not depend on the time period when the test is conducted, nor on whether the candidate is taking the driving test for the first time, or has already passed the driving test".
The Department of Education and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are working on amendments to the set of regulations related to the work of driving schools and examination commissions.
On Monday, they announced that the first to be amended is the Rulebook on the closer way of organizing and conducting the driving test.
In 18 municipalities, more than 60 schools
Out of 62 solutions for the operation of driving schools until August of last year, the Ministry of Education issued for 18 municipalities.
The largest number of solutions refers to Podgorica - 16. Among them is one, whose seat is in Berane, but they also have a solution for a regional unit in the capital.
After Podgorica, the most driving schools are registered in Nikšić, seven, one less in Rožaje (six), and four driving schools each have licenses to work in Bar, Berane, and Bijelo Polje.
There are three driving schools in Plav, while two driving schools each operate in Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Mojkovac, Pljevlja, Tivat, Ulcinj and Zeta.
One driving school is each registered in Cetinje, Žabljak and Kolašin.
Bonus video:
