PUTRAJAYA (June 25): The Road Transport Department (RTD) will implement a special programme that allows applicants without Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) to take up the Driving School Instructors’ Certificate (SPIM) course.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the initiative allows individuals without SPM to become certified instructors, in an effort to address the shortage of instructors at driving institutes (IMs).

“According to the feedback from the IMs, we are indeed facing a teaching staff problem. So we are giving a period of six months from July 1 to Dec 31, (2024) for this exemption. So anyone who does not have an SPM can register to take the SPIM course,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after officiating the annual general meeting of the Malaysian Association of Driving Institutes, here on Tuesday.

Loke said applicants need to attend a two-week course at JPJ Academy in Melaka. He said the Ministry of Transport will look at the effectiveness of the programme before reviewing the policy, if necessary.

Loke said about 700,000 would-be drivers register every year at one of the 255 IMs nationwide.

“IMs employ approximately 15,000 teaching staff, including employees. On average, each IM needs to take 2,500 students every year,” he said.

He said the special programme follows feedback that there are many experienced and prudent drivers who have the potential to become good trainee instructors, but do not get the opportunity due to the lack of SPM qualifications.

“In the appeal letters received, there are retired armed forces or police officers who earn a living at IMs, after completing their civil service,” he said.

In other developments, Loke said the RTD was asked to review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and existing regulations including conditions for the use of IM vehicles, so that these are allowed to be used for the purpose of picking up and sending candidates, and also for transportation from home to office for IM instructors, with conditions.

Loke said several new policies have been implemented to digitise the IM industry, for example the e-testing system initiative that was announced in March, and it is at the implementation stage.

In addition, he said the government also allows IMs that meet the qualifications to set up computerised legal test centres, to provide smooth services to the public.

Loke said that among initiatives to improve the IM industry is a new element that should be incorporated into the existing IM module, so that drivers are trained in the right way to operate electric vehicles (EVs), considering that type of vehicle is increasingly becoming the choice of consumers. 

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