Driver Training and Licensing in lebanon

The present driver training and licensing tests do not prepare the learner drivers for the conditions they will meet in the ordinary traffic, which can be characterized as undisciplined, aggressive, impatient and unpredictable. Partly, this may be a result of the inadequate training. More comprehensive training is necessary. Research and studies had proved that the drivers of motor vehicles play a major role in the road traffic injuries. The official statistics of most countries proved that young drivers and new entrant drivers regardless of age are over-represented in the traffic crashes. This underlines the importance of creating an efficient system for the training of the learner drivers so that they are well prepared for their role in the road traffic system when they get their driving licenses. The license tests should be designed to ensure that the training has been successful in transmitting the necessary knowledge and skills to the learner drivers. There are many ways in which the driver training and licensing in Lebanon can be improved. The most important reform from a safety point of view is to make the learner drivers better prepared for the ordinary traffic. The final part of their training and the practical driving test should take place in ordinary traffic, but then the traffic environment must not be too complicated and the behavior of other drivers must be more disciplined and predictable.
In connection with the changes to the traffic legislation in Lebanon, it is a must to change the license classification to be in accordance with the Vienna Convention from 1968, and to adapt the licenses to the EU Model Driving License layout. The validity period of driving licenses should also be revised when the classification and layout is changed. Instead of the present renewal stamp system it is recommended to introduce a renewal of the complete license, with a recently taken photo. A system with validity periods depending on the age of the applicant may be considered, and also an eyesight test or a more comprehensive medical examination before renewal, from a certain age. The behavior of Lebanese drivers is a cause for great concern. It is necessary to increase enforcement of fundamental rules and regulations, to increase the fines for traffic offences and revoke driving licenses for serious offences. A driver having his or her license revoked should be required to have a number of lessons at a driving school and then pass the licensing test again.
Proposed components in an upgrading program
It is recommended that an upgrading of the driver training and licensing system should include:
• Changes in the road traffic legislation to the extent necessary for the following;
• A revised driver training program with several hours in ordinary traffic;
• Regulations for the private driving training;
• Development of a modern learner driver’s handbook;
• Vehicle and driving license classes adapted to international agreements;
• Validity periods of driving licenses revised;
• Driving licenses adapted to the EU model layout;
• Specified curriculum for the practical and theoretical driver training;
• Specified and standardized theoretical (written) and practical driving tests;
• Specified curriculum for driving instructor training;
• Training courses for driving instructors and examiners;
• Stricter enforcement and higher fines for traffic offences;
• Surveillance of the activities of the private driving schools.
Endeavors to improve the road safety in Lebanon must include improvements of the quality of driving. Initiatives must start with a fundamental revision of the driver training system and a radical change of the examination system as a consequence. First of all it must be emphasized that driver training is the primary part of the system, and the license testing is a secondary part. Also, it must be emphasized that the training needs to be much more comprehensive. Motivating learner drivers to accept this will be difficult unless they can be offered an educational program with contents immediately giving them the impression of useful help in finding their way as quickly and safely as possible to the point where they can cope with the ordinary traffic. The educational program should be made accessible to all instructors, examiners and learner drivers so that it is very clear to everybody – the exact contents of the theoretical part as well as the practical part, how the two parts fit together, where to start and where to end, and the exact level of detail to which the different topics should be instructed, practiced and learned. The theoretical training should be oriented towards the practical driving. The traditional content of traffic rules and regulations, road signs, etc. must be supplemented by a marked extension of topics on risk factors, etc., the necessary background for which must be compiled from analysis of the accident statistics based on police reports, daily experience from the traffic, systematic observations of road user behavior, road and vehicle inspections, literature studies, etc. A modern learner driver’s handbook should be compiled, to be used by both the driving schools and the learner drivers who are trained privately. The practical driver training must include several hours of driving in ordinary traffic. The practical driving test should be specified to the extent this is necessary to ensure that the candidates’ performances will be checked in all relevant issues of the program, and the test should be conducted in ordinary traffic. Training courses for drivers of heavy trucks and buses must be developed. Certain minimum requirements should be introduced regarding the driving instructors and the examiners, to ensure at least a certain minimum level. A gradual rising of the minimum level over a certain time can be considered. The behavior of Lebanese drivers is a cause for great concern. It is necessary to increase enforcement of fundamental rules and regulations, to increase the fines for traffic offences and to revoke driving licenses for at least three months for serious offences, longer time for repeated serious offences. Serious offences should include red light driving, driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street or motorway, speeding more than 20 km/h over the limit, and drink and/or drug driving. A driver having his or her license revoked should be required to have a number of lessons at a driving school and then pass the licensing test again. A demerit points system may also be considered, that could end with total disqualification of the driver and no renewal of the license.
prepared by M.Ziad Akl founder of yasa