Drivers licence may take up to four years

The process of getting a driver's licence may take up to four years if a new proposal is given the go ahead, the transport department said on Saturday.

"Right now, it is just a proposal. We will need to discuss it with the relevant stakeholders and the public before anything is approved," said spokesman Logan Maistry.

He said the new system was aimed at reducing carnage on the roads and would take four years.

From the age of 16, a person could apply for a learner driver's licence, which would force them to be accompanied by a fully licensed driver and stick to a maximum of 80km per hour.

They would be recognised by a black 'L' sign with a yellow background on their back windscreen.

Learners would have to log 120 hours of driving plus twenty hours of driving at night.

In their second year, they would apply for a P1 license which allows them to drive alone, at a speed limit of 90 kilometres per hour. Exceeding the speed would incur a three month suspension of their licence. They would have to display a red 'L' with a white background.

The P2 licence is granted in the third year and includes a computerised hazard perception test.

Learners would be allowed to drive up to 100km per hour and be recognised by a green 'L' sign.

The full licence is gained only in the fourth year and includes a final computerised test.

Maistry said an announcement would be made once the proposal had been approved by various parties.