Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that from January 2025 to June 2025, a total of 11,331 driving tests have been conducted at the Line Barracks Driving Test Centre. In regard to part (a) of the question, around 200 prospective drivers are convened daily for driving tests at Line Barracks Driving Test Centre.

(Interruptions)

No cross talking, please!

However, an average number of 120 driving tests are carried out daily, taking into consideration requests for rescheduling at short notice and absentees. As regards part (b) of the question, driving tests which comprise road test, parking test, reverse test are conducted from 07.30 hrs in the morning to 16.00 hours on weekdays and 07.30 hrs to noon on Saturdays. The appointments for the driving test during weekdays are scheduled in six batches of 30 candidates for cars, autocycles, motorcycles and other light vehicles. Furthermore, as from 12.30 hrs, driving tests are scheduled in respect of some 20 heavy vehicles, such as lorries and buses. In respect to part (c) of the question, a total number of 25 Police Officers are deployed on a daily basis for the testing at Line Barracks. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that driving tests are also carried out daily at two other driving test centres situated at Les Casernes, Curepipe and Argy, Flacq.

26 For the period of January 2025 to June 2025, the number of driving tests conducted at these two centres were 9,382 and 7,093. I also wish to inform the House, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that we are bringing some fundamental changes for the issuing of driving licenses. A graduated licensing system is being envisaged. We will give details later.

Do you have one supplementary on this?

Oui, M. le président. J’ai eu l’occasion de m’entretenir récemment avec quelques moniteurs d’auto-école…

Put your question! Put your question!

But I must introduce my question!

No, whatever you have had with the… Put your question to the hon. Prime Minister!

Nou pa le konne kisanla tonn zwen.

Let us go straight to the question!

Et aussi avec quelques candidats qui ont récemment passé leur examen de conduite. Ils sont tous unanimes à affirmer qu’il y a un manque d’examinateurs et aussi un temps d’attente beaucoup trop long. De ce fait, je demande à l’honorable Premier ministre, est-ce qu’il a déjà pris connaissance de cela et est-ce qu’il compte demander au commissaire de police de faire le nécessaire afin de remédier à la situation ?

Perhaps, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, people maybe do not realise that you can actually apply for a provisional driving license online through the Police Department’s website or the e-Government portal.

M. le président, rapidement, une dernière question avec votre permission. Mercredi dernier, le 2 juillet, un incident s’est produit à Line Barracks où une jeune dame candidate qui était venue passer son examen de conduite a été prise d’une crise d’épilepsie.

Your question!

Qu’on a dû transporter d’urgence à l’hôpital. Justement, par rapport, est-ce que le Premier ministre ne pense-t-il pas qu’il faudrait que chaque candidat produise un

27 certificat médical ? Fort heureusement, la personne en question ne conduisait pas à ce moment-là. Donc, on a pu faire le nécessaire et la transporter d’urgence à l’hôpital.

Yes, your question!

Ne pense-t-il pas, M. le président, qu’il faudrait que chaque candidat qui aspire à obtenir son permis de conduire doit produire un certificat médical faisant état de la bonne santé de la personne en question ?

I just mentioned that we are bringing some fundamental changes. That will also include medical certificate.

The hon. First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! MONTAGNE LONGUE POLICE STATION – STAFF SHORTAGE – REMEDIAL MEASURES