site.btaTransport Ministry: Driving School Reforms Guarantee Transparency

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is in constant dialogue with representatives of the organizations responsible for the training of drivers, the Ministry told BTA regarding the protests of driving schools and instructors taking place here on Wednesday. The amendments ensure greater transparency in the training of young drivers and more effective control by the state. The aim is to eliminate any possibility of fictitious or incomplete driver training and to ensure better theoretical and practical training, the Ministry said.

The protesters expressed opposing opinions: some of them are in favour of the amendments to the regulations concerning people learning to drive, while others are against them.

At a meeting with industry representatives, the caretaker Minister of Transport and Communications Krassimira Stoyanova committed to having the electronic system developed within three months. She specified that after this period, two months will be dedicated to testing the system and fixing any potential problems. After those five months, driving schools will be allowed to keep records both on paper and electronically for another five more months.

According to the Ministry, the frequent changes in the regulatory framework over the years have created uncertainty and obstacles in the sector, which is why a detailed discussion of the new information system with all stakeholders is being scheduled.

Organizations in favour of the amendments believe that they would improve transparency to the sector, while those against argue that the changes were drafted without sufficient industry representation.