The province says it's hiring more driver examiners to reduce the long waits for road tests.
MPP for Chatham-Kent Leamington Rick Nicholls said Ontario is working with its service provider, DriveTest, to hire more than 130 extra temporary driver examiners to help deal with the backlog of 350,000 passenger vehicle road tests, which is the result of the closure of DriveTest centres earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This announcement brings exciting news for anyone in our community looking to get back on the road or to get their license for the very first time,” said Nicholls. “We have heard from constituents their frustrations with wait times, and our government has responded."
Nicholls added with the 130 new driver examiners, the long wait times will soon return to normal. The additional temporary driver examiners are expected to begin conducting tests in December.
“Our government recognizes that the closure of DriveTest centres due to COVID-19 has caused hardship and uncertainty for people trying to get their driver’s licences,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “That’s why we are working with DriveTest to hire more examiners to make more road tests available to ensure that people who need a road test can get one as quickly as possible.”
Customers are still required to wear face coverings inside centres and during road tests, sanitize their hands when they enter the building, and submit to temperature checks and screening questions for those taking road tests. Exceptions will be made for those taking motorcycle road tests and for people with a medical condition or a disability. All DriveTest staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment when serving customers and driver examiners will also be equipped with face shields or goggles, sanitizer packages and seat covers when conducting road tests.