Police have directed driving schools to limit the number of students as part of efforts to produce competent drivers.

According to the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety, CIP Emmanuel Kabanda, the new directive is meant to enhance driving schools’ efficiency.

"Driving schools used to give us lists of students that they claim to have trained but we found them not fit to get driving permits,” he noted.

Kabanda said the limit on students will facilitate learning.

According to the directive, the number of students for practical and written tests varies from one area to another.

The maximum number of candidates for practical tests in Kigali’s Remera site, with two driving schools, has been set at 404; Nyamirambo site comprising of six schools, 603 students, Gahanga with eight schools, 623 students; and Murindi with three schools 401 students.

For written tests, all sites in Kigali must not register more than 3000 candidates.

Emmanuel Twagirayezu, the head of Rwanda Association of Driving Schools, told The New Times that the decision was arrived at after a meeting with Police.

The meeting instituted a committee of six members that conducted an assessment tour of driving sites prior to approving the directive.

Twagirayezu said the measures would stem irregularities in driving schools.

"Big numbers were the source of irregularities. Many students fail driving tests because they are not well trained,” he said.

However, some driving schools owners did not welcome the new directive.

"We have to pay taxes, social insurance, salaries among other expenses. Most of us took loans to put up these businesses. It won’t be easy to pay all these fees because the fewer the students, the lower the income,” said François Habimana, head of Remera-based United Driving School.

He added that Police did not consult with them before the decision was made.

Some students who convened at Amahoro stadium for driving tests recently said the decision came as a shock.Isaac Mfitumukiza, a student from Ngororero is among those who deplored the decision.

"We came prepared for the test, only to be told that just 200 students were selected. Others were asked to wait for the next exam,” he said.

"If our codes expire at the end of this month, we will have to pay another Rwf5000. Some of us come from Huye and Musanze. If we add transport and the fees paid to study driving, it becomes expensive.”

editorial@newtimes.co.rw