150 instructors issued permits

Manama : More than 150 driving instructors were issued licenses in the past two years in a bid to enhance the driving learning process in Bahrain, Captain Khalid Bugais, Legal Affairs Head at the General Directorate of Traffic, has said.

The number of Bahraini instructors at the country’s only driving school in Aali was also increased from 400 in 2015 to 554 now.

“We reconfirm that the numbers of driving instructors was and will be increased as requested by the council,” Capt. Bugais who spoke at the weekly meeting of the House of Representatives yesterday, said.

“There are 554 instructors in Bahrain now. As a result of increasing the numbers of instructors, there are no delays now in receiving driving learning services,” the official said while discussing the directorate’s replies to a couple of parliamentary proposals and queries. Explaining further on the improvement of driving learning services, Capt. Bugais said, “As per the directives of Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abudlla Al Khalifa, the ministry is currently working on privatising this important sector in cooperation with the private sector. Taking such a step requires extensive study to protect all the related parties, including learners and instructors.” Capt. Bugais also confirmed that the directorate had met the Driving Instructors’ Society and heard, reviewed and fulfilled their suggestions and requests.

While discussing the directorate’s reply to a proposal to establish a new technical inspection centre in Muharraq, Capt. Bugais announced that work has commenced on a new centre for trucks located near Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) factory in the Southern Governorate. The proposal, which was passed earlier by the council, calls for opening a new centre in Muharraq Governorate.