‘Overwhelming response’ says practical exams still needed: Manitoba Public Insurance – Winnipeg | PKBNEWS
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is halting the removal of road test requirements for driver training graduates.
The announcement follows what MPI has called an “overwhelming response from the driver education community”.
For longtime instructor Avtar Sidhu, this reversal of the controversial policy, taken in response to job action, can be a comfort.
“It’s a very, very dangerous situation because driving students, for the most part, are just beginners,” he said of MPI’s decision to forego road tests. “It’s totally dangerous for us and for the public.”
Sidhu was also concerned that some instructors would agree to supervise practical exams because they feared the MPI might deny their license to teach.
However, despite the policy’s current suspension, the company said it has determined that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles has the legal authority to waive testing requirements.
“This option may be reconsidered in the future if the MGEU strike is prolonged and in the event that the use of MPI certified driver training instructors cannot adequately meet the current and future demand for driver training services. ‘driving test,’ a statement read.
Meanwhile, MPI board chairman Ward Keith said around 4,000 knowledge exams and practice tests have been canceled since employees began picketing.
“Behind every one of these canceled appointments is a customer waiting for service,” Keith said.
Today, the state-owned company says it is “satisfied” that there are sufficient resources available to resume Cla*s 5 testing for all drivers, including Driver Z graduates.
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