One year after the introduction of the new learner’s licence test in Stellenbosch, driving schools claim that they are biting the financial bullet due to the low pass rate.
Stellenbosch Traffic Department, where one can make bookings for the Computerised Learner’s Licence Test and where the test is examined. PHOTO: Gio Anthony
The new Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) was introduced at the Stellenbosch Traffic department on 28 March 2025. Since then, driving schools in Stellenbosch have been complaining that the new testing has significantly affected their businesses. They claim that the new test has seen more students fail and fewer students taking the next step into driving lessons.
When SMF News reached out to various driving schools in Stellenbosch, four driving schools responded, two of which asked not to be named, out of fear for retribution towards their clients.
Stellenbosch Traffic Department has reduced the number of tests its applicants it accommodates by, 20% as it moves from the K53 test to the CLLT. Learner’s licence testing appointments are only available on Fridays and certain Saturdays. SMF News has used a photo by Anke Spies due to Stellenbosch Municipality denying access to take pictures in the testing room. PHOTO: Supplied/Anke Spies
Driving school owners claim the traffic department is also facing a backlog, and that learners have to wait a month or more to get an appointment. One driving school owner feels “blessed” to still be busy. SMF News asked what they believe has led to the current situation, the schools said that the CLLT is much more difficult to pass than the previous K53 test, due to the sheer amount of content students are required to study.
Their frustration stems from the appointment booking system, where new applicants and learners who have failed must book appointments simultaneously. They say more students are failing and that the testing room is vacant from Monday to Thursday, creating a backlog, with applicants having to wait one or two months for an appointment.
One driving school owner said they might see a problem with students entering the driver’s licence phase by the end of the year, or the start of 2027.
Some driving school owners have also said that the CLLT pass rate has affected their income, with Jacques Fourie, the owner of Driving Made Easy, saying that he had to let a new staff member go. “We have seen a drop of around 10-30% decrease in monthly income,” said a second driving school owner.
This has resulted in various driving schools in Stellenbosch having to re-examine or change their business models. Niklaas Willemse, from Niklaas and Nita’s Driving school, said the computerised learner’s test has resulted in them being quieter than in recent years. He has tried to slash prices in an attempt to gain clients.
To prepare for the Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing, students can find study guides on the National Traffic and Information System website (eNaTIS). PHOTO: Gio Anthony
“Driving schools and learners have mostly been left to figure it out on their own,” said the second driving school owner. Various driving schools have also said that they did not receive any formal approaches from the traffic department to help guide applicants to pass the CLLT.
SMF News spoke to Cayden Prins, an applicant who has recently done the CLLT. He said that he made an appointment at the Stellenbosch Traffic Department on 23 December 2025, and that there was no indication given that the test had been changed to the CLLT. He only found out that the new CLLT system was operating after he entered the testing room. “They didn’t refer me to any study material or tell me anything,” he said.
Kevin Jacobs, the traffic service spokesperson for City of Cape Town, said that it is too early to tell if the new CLLT has affected the current pass rate.
Jacobs asserted that there were benefits to going digital, among them reduction in potential errors and shortcuts, and that the CLLT system ultimately benefited candidates and road safety by better equipping people to understand the rules of the road
“Change is uncomfortable, but necessary, and measures have been put in place to facilitate the changeover from the written test system to the CLLT,” Jacobs added.
SMF News has reached out to the Stellenbosch Traffic Department and Stellenbosch Municipality, but they did not respond at the time of publication.