State JPJ welcomes move to order driving institutes to list charges

KUCHING: The state Road Transport Department (JPJ) welcomes the move that requires all driving institutes to list their driving test charges in their receipts from this year onward.

Its director Mohd Syafiq Anas Abdullah said the policy was not only good for the students but also for them (JPJ).

He acknowledged that the hidden charges made by the driving institutes had somehow painted negative image on JPJ although JPN had nothing to do with the driving institutes’ packages.

“As far as state JPJ is concerned, we have fixed the ceiling charges for motorcycle B2 class licence at RM350, D class (manual transmission car) at RM1,300 and DA class (automatic transmission car) at RM1,350.

“Anything more than that are fixed by the driving institutes; some offer higher charges than the ceiling price” he told reporters after distributing porridge to agencies related to JPJ and their customers here yesterday.

Mohd Syafig said with the implementation of the new policy - itemising the charges or packages - students would be more aware of what they are paying and exercise their rights to choose the best packages offered by the driving institutes.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook has recently instructed all driving institutes to list driving test charges in their receipts to prevent any hidden charges and corrupt practices to obtain ‘kopi- o’ licences and ‘lesen terbang’.

Loke said the measure, which would take effect immediately, is to stop driving institutes from offering ‘ pakej sampai lulus’ (guaranteed pass packages) of up to RM2,200.

“Students cannot take a package that exceeds the rate set by the JPJ,” he was reported as saying.

He said consumers were entitled to know what they are paying for, adding that driving institutes could collect additional fees such as for the shuttle service to and from the house to the institute. It’s just an option and the service should be displayed on the receipt and they cannot force students to take a set package.

“For those who violate these rules, I will not hesitate to revoke their driving licence, which needs to be renewed every year,” he said, as well as urging students to reject and report those who impose higher fees.