PETALING JAYA: All driving institutes will be permitted to operate by appointment nationwide from tomorrow, says Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       The Transport Minister said this must be done in compliance with guidelines from the National Security Council (NSC).

       “While driving institutes will be permitted to operate from Sept 9, the examination process to obtain driving licences will begin only on Sept 17.

       “This is to allow the driving institutes and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to manage any arising issues that the candidates may face,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

       Among the guidelines are full adherence to the current standard operating procedure under the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       Aside from that, employees, teaching staff and candidates must be fully vaccinated, verifiable with Covid-19 Digital Vaccination Certificates and identification cards.

       The institutes are also permitted to operate based on the percentage of employees who have been vaccinated.

       “If 40% of a driving institute’s employees have been vaccinated, the institute may operate at 60% of current staffing. With 60% having been vaccinated, it may operate with 80% staff.

       “It may operate with 100% staffing if 80% of its staff have been vaccinated,” Dr Wee said.

       Staff members or candidates with symptoms, persons residing in enhanced movement control order areas, persons under surveillance (PUS) and persons under quarantine are not allowed to enter the premises.

       The driving institute must also comply fully with the health protocols stipulated by the Health Ministry by implementing temperature screening, checking-in with MySejahtera, maintaining physical distance, wearing face masks and using hand sanitisers.

       “The ministry wishes to remind all that any violation of the associated SOP can result in action taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342),” said Dr Wee.

       He also announced that his ministry will grant a three-month moratorium until Nov 30 on the renewal of driving institute operators’ permits whose expiry falls between January and September this year.

       “As driving institutes begin to operate once again, we hope that this decision would bring relief to the operators, teaching staff and the public,” he added.