New data released by the Western Cape Government has revealed that only 17% of applicants passed their learner’s licence test under the province’s new Computerised Learner Licence Testing (CLLT) system during the 2025/26 financial year.

The figures show a sharp contrast to the overall provincial learner’s licence pass rate of 63%, which includes tests completed under the previous manual system while the computerised platform was being rolled out.

Introduced in May 2025, the CLLT system is designed to improve the integrity of learner’s licence testing by randomising questions and answer options, requiring applicants to demonstrate a sound understanding of road rules and signs instead of relying on memorised question sequences.

The low pass rate has sparked concern over whether applicants are receiving enough support to adapt to the new testing format.

DA Western Cape spokesperson on Mobility Professor Nomafrench Mbombo said a pass rate of 17% is deeply concerning.

“Obtaining a learner’s licence is the first step towards securing a driver’s licence, which enables many people to access employment, education, healthcare and other essential services. While we support measures that strengthen the integrity of testing, applicants must also be adequately prepared for the new system.”

The Provincial Mobility Department has attributed the lower pass rate partly to the transition from the manual system and said learner driver manuals have been distributed to public libraries and made available electronically through the NaTIS platform to help applicants prepare.

Mbombo said she would request a briefing from the Provincial Mobility Department on the reasons behind the low pass rate and the interventions being introduced to improve applicants’ performance.