Bahrain begins clampdown on illegal Asian driving instructors

TDT | Manama                                                                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

The Traffic Directorate has begun a clampdown on illegal Asian driving instructors after a video showing an expatriate offering driving instructions to another went viral on all social media platforms yesterday.

In a response message tweeted, the Ministry of Interior said strict action will be taken against the offenders.

“In response to a video clip being circulated on websites and social media accounts which shows an illegal Asian instructor offering driving lessons to an expatriate, the Traffic Department is undertaking legal procedures regarding the incident,” the ministry said.

The ministry has called on citizens and expatriates to report such incidents quickly by giving a ring on hotline 199 or through the Tawasul system with an aim to end such extreme violations in the future.

As per the Kingdom’s law, driving instructions can only be offered by legal instructors in special vehicles allocated for the purpose.

Earlier, social media users urged strict action against the violators, while seeking a clampdown on unqualified illegal driving instructors.

“This is a clear violation of laws and we urge strict action,” a social media user said, adding that it is totally dangerous and irresponsible behaviour. Another social media user said these instructors are cheating the students while violating the laws of the land.

“To earn a living there are many legal ways. I don’t know why these people who engage in violating the laws continue to get support from others in the form of new student batches?” Vipin Kumar, an expatriate social media user, said such acts would bring discredit to the entire expatriate community in the Kingdom.

“We are here to make a living and hence must be highly responsible and strictly obey the laws of the land instead of violating it.” According to various sources, there are many fake driving instructors among expatriates in the Kingdom.

“Taking classes from fake driving instructors is a potentially dangerous act. But many are doing it, putting the general public at risk,” a source said. The Traffic Directorate is in charge of issuing driving classes in the Kingdom. To obtain a driving license, the applicant must undergo and pass the eye exam. Subsequently, the applicant can opt for a legal instructor, who will deliver lessons in driving.

Before taking the final test, an applicant must attend 22 hours of lessons under the registered legal instructor. The driving license can only be obtained after passing the practical driving test conducted by the directorate. GCC citizens and international license holders can drive in the Kingdom using the driving licenses obtained from their countries.