Waiting for a driver's license exam can stretch on for months, while available slots at Special Service Centers (SpetsTSONs) disappear almost instantly. Deputies of the Kurultai propose expanding the network of examination sites, engaging accredited private driving ranges, and ensuring a more transparent electronic booking mechanism.

Deputy of the Kurultai from the "Ak Zhol" faction Meirash Shynasilova drew attention to the situation in her parliamentary inquiry addressed to the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. She linked the problem to the need for further development of digital government services.

As the deputy noted, the principle of digitalization has not yet been fully implemented in the process of obtaining a driver's license. According to her, electronic booking by itself does not solve the problem if the number of available slots is limited and the procedure for their distribution remains insufficiently transparent.

"Available slots run out instantly. The booking mechanism is opaque: it is unknown to whom and how slots are allocated. And where there is scarcity and no transparency, paid intermediaries inevitably appear," the parliamentary inquiry states.

Meirash Shynasilova considers it necessary to increase the throughput capacity of existing SpetsTSONs. In particular, the deputy proposes extending their operating hours until 8:00 PM and organizing a shift schedule for examiners. This would make it possible to conduct more exams per day without expanding the existing infrastructure.

At the same time, she proposes increasing the number of sites where citizens can take the theoretical exam. As additional sites, the deputy names the National Testing Center and the territorial divisions of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs.

According to Meirash Shynasilova, distributing the flow of candidates across several sites would increase the number of available slots and reduce waiting times.

The deputy separately raised the issue of conducting the practical exam. Today it mainly takes place at the driving ranges of SpetsTSONs, the number of which is limited.

As an example, the inquiry cites Astana, where approximately two million people live, including the agglomeration, but there is only one driving range.

Meirash Shynasilova considers it necessary to also use the existing infrastructure of private driving schools. Many of them have their own driving ranges that could be used for conducting the practical exam, provided that established requirements are met.

To this end, the deputy proposes establishing unified technical and organizational requirements, as well as safety requirements. Private driving ranges that meet the established criteria are proposed to be authorized to conduct exams through accreditation.

At the same time, Meirash Shynasilova considers it fundamentally important to maintain uniform rules for all sites. Regardless of the form of ownership of the facility, the same examination procedure and assessment criteria must apply. Requirements for video surveillance and the entry of results into the information system must also be common.

The deputy proposes considering such an approach for the theoretical exam as well. In her opinion, engaging private sites would increase the number of slots for taking exams and reduce the burden on state infrastructure.

Another issue that Meirash Shynasilova proposes to address concerns the services of intermediaries. The deputy considers it necessary to eliminate the possibility of pre-booking available slots with their subsequent transfer to citizens for a fee. To this end, she believes it is necessary to carry out exam booking exclusively through eGov and eGov Mobile.

In addition, the deputy proposes introducing a transparent and secure mechanism for the automatic distribution of available slots. Such a system, in her conception, should ensure equal access for citizens to booking and eliminate the possibility of buying and selling places in the queue.

The inquiry also notes the need to consider specific measures to suppress the activities of intermediaries who pre-book places in the queue and offer them to citizens for a fee.

Linara SAKTAGANOVA
Astana