More than 90% of applicants applying for driving licences in Chiang Mai have failed multiple-choice tests under new rules.
Applicants for driving licences sit a new multiple-choice test at the Department of Land Transport. Under rules which took effect on Sunday, the department has increased the number of questions in the knowledge test from 30 to 50 and enforced a 90% pass mark, up from the previous 75%. THANARAK KHUNTON
Over 200 applicants took the test at Chiang Mai's transport office yesterday after undergoing a training session last Friday.
The department has increased the number of questions in the knowledge test from 30 to 50 and enforced a 90% pass rate, up from the previous 75%.
Enforcement of the new rules by the Department of Land Transport took effect on Sunday.
The results showed only a small number of applicants passed the knowledge test, with one applicant, Ms Wannipa Khanchan, answering all 50 questions correctly.
Applicants need at least 45 correct answers to pass.
Ms Wannipa, and her twin sister Wanwimol who obtained a score of 49, said they had studied traffic rules and road signs from the internet before taking the test for the first time.
Before sitting the test, they attended a four-hour training session.
The department has enforced tougher measures to obtain driving licences after it found that many road accidents were caused by a lack of drivers' ability.
The department yesterday also kicked off a pilot project in Chiang Mai to introduce an E-driving system to test applicants, which it plans to expand to cover more provinces next year.
Instead of having an examiner sitting in the car with them, test cars will be equipped with computers and cameras to monitor drivers.
Department chief Asdsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket said the E-driving system pilot project would be expanded to cover 20 provinces by next year.
These provinces include Phuket, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phangnga.
Mr Asdsathai was speaking during the introduction of the E-driving system at the department's office in Bangkok's Chatuchak district.
The department would expand the pilot project to cover four land transport zones in Bangkok in December this year, he said.
About 90 million baht would be spent on the introduction of the E-driving system, with 4.5 million baht used for each location.
"The E-driving system provides accurate and precise results and will do away with problems in the old system, which relies on a committee to assess results."
"It will also bring a drop in the number of applicants passing the test, from 70% to only 30%," said Mr Asdathai.