By rdnewsNOW staff

Province curbs privatized driver road tests after 25 years

Oct 2, 2018 | 12:04 PM

EDMONTON – Alberta is ditching its privatized model for road testing and will administer road exams directly to new drivers.

Transportation Minister Brian Mason says it’s the best solution to fix testing plagued by reports of poor service, high fees and lack of access in smaller centres.

“Albertans deserve a system for road tests that meets high standards for being fair, consistent, accessible and trustworthy,” said Mason. “We are taking action to change the way road tests are conducted to restore public confidence in the program. A government-run road test system will ensure high standards for safe, consistent, reliable service across Alberta.”

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Testers will be government employees, and there will be more oversight to ensure that road exams are conducted fairly and consistently.

“We are taking steps to ensure Alberta’s driver examination model is safe, transparent and secure. We committed to consulting and working with registry agents, and we did just that,” explained Brian Malkinson, Minister of Service Alberta. “These changes maintain the vital role that registry agents play in our system and ensure that the important frontline services they provide will continue to be available to Albertans in their communities.”

The current system is 25 years old.

Alberta has been the only province with fully privatized road testing.

(With file from The Canadian Press)

by rdnewsNOW staff

Province curbs privatized driver road tests after 25 years

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