The transition to a new computerised learner’s licence testing (CLLT) system in South Africa has resulted in a significant decline in pass rates, with Western Cape data showing that only 17% of applicants now pass the test. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is the entity responsible for the learner’s licence test process in the country and implemented the system to replace manual testing and prevent the widespread practice of question paper leaks.
Pass Rate Decline and System Implementation
The shift to computerised testing has caused a sharp drop in performance across the country. According to RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane, the national pass rate fell from 68% to 40% following the rollout. In the Western Cape, the impact is even more pronounced; Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku confirmed that the pass rate for tests conducted via the CLLT system in the 2025/26 financial year was 17%.
This decline contrasts with the 2024/25 financial year, where the province recorded a 61% pass rate under the previous manual system. Sileku noted that while the 2025/26 annual pass rate appeared to be 63%, that figure primarily reflected testing centres that were still utilizing manual booklets during the transition. As of June 5, 2026, 66 of the 70 driving licence testing centres in the Western Cape had adopted the computerised system.
Did You Know? The previous manual testing system consisted of three fixed versions of a 68-question paper, which were susceptible to widespread leaking, allowing applicants to memorize answers before the exam.
Operational Challenges and Criticisms
The CLLT system pulls from a database of approximately 1,200 randomised questions, a design intended to ensure applicants understand road rules rather than memorised patterns. However, critics argue the implementation has created new barriers. Experts assisting applicants have reported that many questions are poorly phrased or include arbitrary requirements, such as inquiries regarding vehicle manufacturing standards.
Further complications involve the accessibility of study materials. Reports indicate that official training manuals have been difficult to source in languages other than English. While the provincial department has distributed hard copies to public libraries to assist with the transition, DA Western Cape spokesperson on mobility Nomafrench Mbombo has expressed concern regarding the low pass rates. Mbombo stated she plans to bring the matter before the Standing Committee on Mobility in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament to demand accountability for the current testing environment.
Future Oversight
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the pass rate drop so significantly?
According to Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku, the fall is attributed to the shift from a predictable manual format to a randomised computerised system that requires a deeper understanding of road rules rather than memorising question sequences.
How does the new system prevent fraud?
The CLLT system draws from a database of 1,200 randomised questions, eliminating the possibility of using leaked question papers that previously allowed applicants to study the answers in advance.
What is the next step for the provincial government?
DA spokesperson Nomafrench Mbombo has stated she will invite the Department of Mobility to answer for the low pass rates before the Standing Committee on Mobility in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.
How might these testing challenges affect the ability of new drivers to secure employment and access essential services?
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