Driving Schools Reactions Trail FRSC’s Approval Deadline

The plan by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to enforce the closure of unapproved driving schools in Rivers State this month has attracted reactions from operators of driving schools.   Operators have said that the decision to embark on enforcement  of closure of unapproved driving schools, especially in Rivers State did not show that government is interested in the growth of small businesses enterprises in the road transport sector.

One of the proprietors of driving school, Henry Chukwu, said that the decision of the FRSC did not in any way give encouragement to operators that are already making efforts to stabilise as well as give classical training to drivers.

Chukwu who operates a driving school – The Redeemer Driving School – along the East-West Road, said the current requirements by the FRSC was very high, and wondered how many driving schools in Rivers State will be able to meet up with such demands.

As for Smith Usoro, also a driving school proprietor within the Obio/Akpor area, the new move by the FRSC does not  go down well with operators, adding that it could be a ploy to pave way for only FRSC to now own and operate driving schools.

According to him “what is the rational behind FRSC asking driving school operators to acquire vehicle that have dual control mechanism, protector, library, vision acuity test among others. It means they want to take over the business of driving school, and how many schools existing in Rivers  will be able to meet up with such conditions for operations.

Smith who operates the UNIQUE driving school along the East-West Road axis, however urged the FRSC to reconsider its stance on enforcement so as to give them enough time to acquire materials gradually.

The FRSC Rivers State had said that it might begin the enforcement of driving school regulation anytime after June, so as to set the required standard.

The Head of Safety Standard  and Training of FRSC, Rivers State Sector, Mr. Amaechi had said that any driving school that want approval must have an office structure, road worthy vehicles with dual control, accredited staff/instructors that are trained by FRSC, course manual, Highway Code/Traffic regulations, first aid facilities and fire extinguishers.

Other requirements are television, road side models, projectors, magnetic board,  library and vision acuity test. These are to enable driving schools meet the FRSC acceptable standards.

Corlins Walter