The Groupement des Entreprises Agréées de Contrôle Automobile et du Permis de Conduire (GOCA - the group of organisations registered which regulate driving and the issue of driving licences) are gradually putting into place an anti-fraud mechanism in driving test centres to fight against a network originating in the Netherlands and which also holds sway in Belgium, the Brussels Secretary of State for Road Safety, Bianca Debaets (CD&V - Christian Democratic party) has said.
The measures consist in both an increase in questions asked and placing such questions randomly during the test. Owing to memory techniques, numerous candidates have succeeded in passing the theory test without knowing all of the material, which is no longer possible, she stated on Monday.
“The so-called 'fool-proof' means for success, was established in the Netherlands, some years ago. Such an organisation is operating in Liège and Brussels”, stated Bianca Debaets.
The Secretary of State says that such organisations claim 100% success rate in the theory test, which thus succeeds in so-called 'training' candidates for the exam, in one day, using memory technique tips and tricks, based upon a series of questions filmed at one centre or other within Belgium. Candidates could, under this regime successfully pass their exam without knowing the highway code, thus representing a real danger.
Consequently in this drive for reform, GOCA has adapted some exam questions, whilst developing a software program ensuring a random distribution of the placing of the various responses to questions. A further 125 questions have just been been added and in the future 300 new questions will be added each year. Lastly, new computer screens, soon to be installed, do not allow filming by cameras in a mobile telephone or within high-technology glasses.
(Source: Belga)
