Applicants must meet strict deadlines at every stage of the licensing process or risk having to start over from the beginning, according to a new set of regulations governing driving licence exams that went into effect nationwide.
Candidates who passed the computerised e-sign test now show up for their road test with 24 hours under the updated process. If this window is missed, the e-sign result is completely invalid, and candidates must retake it before continuing.
However, it should be remembered that passing both tests no longer ensures quick acceptance.
If a Personal Service Identification (PSID) number is not generated for the applicant within the same 24-hour period, traffic authorities will refuse clearance. The e-sign and road test results are discarded, thereby resetting the entire application, if the PSID does not appear in time.
After the PSID is granted, applicants have an additional deadline of seven days to deposit the related charge. The licence application will be completely cancelled if payment is not made within this time frame.
Candidates must retake both tests within a new 24-hour cycle if the PSID itself expires before payment is received; there are no exceptions allowed.
Road test facilities will now also double as collection locations for routine licence applications, according to traffic officials, combining a formerly separate duty. All district traffic chiefs have received a letter from the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Traffic directing them to strictly adhere to the new schedule.
By forcing candidates through a more rigors and accountable pipeline from test to final clearance, the reform seems to be intended to remove loopholes that permitted delays or lapses between testing stages.
