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Cape Town upgrades learner tests and launches drive-thru licence disc renewals
For years, learner drivers in Cape Town have queued with pens in hand, nervously flipping through printed booklets and hoping the right questions appear. That chapter is closing.
The City of Cape Town is on the brink of completing its full rollout of computerised learner licence tests across all 18 driver’s licence testing centres. According to Alderman JP Smith, installations at the final two sites are now being wrapped up, bringing the metro to a fully digital system.
It is a quiet but significant shift in how the city handles one of the most important milestones for young motorists.
Instant results, fewer errors, tighter security
The biggest change is speed. Instead of waiting for manual marking, candidates now receive their results immediately. The system processes answers digitally, removing the possibility of marking mistakes.
For anyone who has spent hours anxiously refreshing their phone or pacing outside a testing room, that instant feedback is a game-changer.
Smith has pointed out another benefit. The old booklet system relied on a limited set of question templates, which often circulated among learner licence schools. Over time, some training centres narrowed their teaching to those familiar questions rather than ensuring a broad understanding of the rules of the road.
By randomising questions digitally, the new system makes it far harder to predict what will come up. That also makes it harder to cheat. Fingerprint verification has been built in, reducing the risk of someone taking the test on behalf of another person.
The result is a tougher, but arguably fairer, process.
Why pass rates dropped before
Computerised testing is not entirely new to Cape Town. A pilot site in Mitchells Plain introduced digital learner tests several years ago. When that happened, the pass rate dropped significantly.
Smith has explained that when candidates are tested on a wider pool of possible questions, the assessment becomes more challenging. In other words, it rewards genuine understanding over memorisation.
There are concerns about accessibility, particularly for those with literacy challenges. City officials acknowledge that this remains a reality, although it was also a factor under the old paper system. The computerised tests are available in all 11 official languages and include features designed for the hearing impaired, widening access for many candidates. Importantly for a city that knows load shedding all too well, the system is backed by power support to keep operations running during outages.
On social media, reactions have been mixed. Many residents welcome the move as a step towards transparency and modernisation. Others worry that tougher tests could mean longer waits for retakes. What is clear is that the city is aiming to raise standards on the road, not simply process more applicants.
A drive-thru solution for licence renewals
Digital upgrades are not limited to learner tests.
In September 2025, the City of Cape Town opened a drive-thru vehicle licence renewal centre in Brackenfell, on the corner of Reservoir and Kruispad Roads. The idea is simple. Motorists can renew their licence disc without stepping out of their cars.
Operating from 11:30 to 19:30 on weekdays and from 11:00 to 14:30 on Saturdays, the facility is entirely cashless and handles motor vehicle licence renewals only. Payments are made by card, and motorists with an SMS renewal notice can simply show the message to officials.
Mayoral committee member for finance Siseko Mbandezi has described the service as part of the city’s effort to remain a trusted and convenient renewal agent. Initial testing suggests that, when paperwork is in order, the process can take less than five minutes.
For many Capetonians used to long lines and time off work, that promise alone is enough to spark interest. The city has indicated that it is exploring longer operating hours and the possibility of expanding the model to other areas.
A city leaning into digital reform
Taken together, the digital learner licence tests and the Brackenfell drive-thru paint a clear picture. Cape Town is investing in systems that aim to be faster, more secure, and more transparent.
There will always be growing pains when new technology replaces familiar routines. Pass rates may fluctuate, and residents will need time to adjust. But in a province where road safety remains a pressing issue, ensuring that learner drivers truly understand the rules of the road could have long-term benefits.
For now, the days of predictable question booklets and paper-based uncertainty are fading. In their place is a digital system that promises instant answers and, perhaps, a more confident generation of drivers.
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Source: MyBroadband
Featured Image: TZ Driving School in Florida, Roodepoort.
