‘NaTIS standards same countrywide’

In the face of accusations of deliberately failing those who go for tests to obtain driving licences, the Roads Authority says its NaTIS centres countrywide have the same standards and has denied that people are made to repeat tests so that the authority can make more money.

NaTIS in Windhoek is facing the most accusations that it deliberately fails learner drivers as part of a money-making scheme.

The Namibian Consumer has been inundated with complaints from frustrated learner drivers who have been complaining that they spend large sums of money rewriting the tests.

Hileni Fillemon, the Communications Manager at the Roads Authority in response to the accusations told The Namibian Consumer that examiners go through adequate intensive training to enable them to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.

She said accusations of some learner drivers being deliberately failed were isolated incidents.

Fillemon said learner drivers with problems can contact the Corporate Communications Office at 061-2847059 to present evidence of any wrong doing on the part of the examiners.

Fillemon said the public is welcome to report complaints at the Roads Authority Anonymous Toll Free Hotline which is 0800 309 231 or they can contact NaTIS Management at O61-3226000 or send their complaints via email to pr@ra.org.na.

Asked about the growing practice where people from Windhoek go to obtain drivers licences in smaller towns like Rehoboth, Karibib and Okahandja, she said standards at all NaTIS offices countrywide are the same.

“However, some smaller towns do not have certain infrastructure like traffic lights for example. It is the prerogative of the applicant to choose where they want to be tested,” said Fillemon explaining that the practice is not illegal.

“In our efforts to meet our customers’ needs, we have extended the business hours of NaTIS Valley Centre in Windhoek. This initiative started on 8 November and will end on 13 December. The operating hours on Saturdays are from 08h00 to 13h00,” she said.

She said the extended service is for road worthiness tests only, which includes the testing of vehicle trailers, trucks and light motor vehicles.