The bill “Driving safely” was voted by the Parliament, which, as the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Kostas Karamanlis, has stressed, ensures the integrity of the driving test and contributes to road safety.
5 safety measures for fair driving tests
- Double identity checks and random identity testing in the theoretical examinations.
In order for the candidate to enter the exams, a digital check will be carried out.
In the written exams, the use of mobile phones, headphones or any other electronic or “smart” device will be prohibited.
- Mandatory installation of a camera inside the vehicle during the examination.
A high-definition, portable, 360o camera with a microphone, will clearly record the entire cabin of the vehicle and the participants during the process. The camera will have a special detachable memory card, in which the entire process of practical testing is stored. Within one day after the examination, the examiner is obliged to hand over the camera and memory card to the Directorate of Transport and Communications of the Region.
It should be noted that the consent of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority has already been secured before the submission of the bill.
- This audiovisual material will be kept for a specific period of time by a special service of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
The cameras, which will be placed on the vehicles during the examination, belong to the ministry. Audiovisual material will be stored for up to six months, and can be examined either on a random basis or if a complaint is made. If during this time the new driver causes an accident, then the examination of the audiovisual material will proceed automatically.
- The body of examiners is extended.
Any civil servant who wishes, will be able to become an examiner, after passing the relevant training and being certified. The aim is to have a sufficient number of well-trained examiners. There will be no private examiners.
- A body of supervisors shall be established.
Supervisors will be able to become, if they wish, members of the Hellenic Police. If the personnel of ELAS are not sufficient to cover this work, uniformed personnel of the Municipal Police and the Hellenic Coast Guard will be able to register. The supervisors will go through special training and will receive certification, so that they can then get into the vehicle during the examination and supervise the process randomly.
The trainer will be seated in the passenger seat
The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport tabled a legislative improvement, which states that the instructor will sit in the passenger seat, while the original proposal was to sit in the back seat.
Provisions for people with disabilities
The bill provides for the establishment of private Centers for the Assessment of the Driving Ability and the Preparation of people with mobility problems so as not to further inconvenience them.
Young people from the age of 17 will be able to take driving tests but then drive under strict conditions
Young people from the age of 17 will now be able to take a driving test but once passed, driving will be subject to specific strict restrictions.
According to the provisions of the bill an escort will be compulsory. The escort must be over 25 years of age and hold a clean driver’s license for at least 5 years.
The 17-year-olds will be allowed to drive only within the Region where they live and the vehicle will bear the special sign of the new driver.
As long as the 17-year-old driver during that year is not involved in an accident, when he turns 18 he will now have his regular driver’s license. Otherwise he will have to take the exam again.