The Fiji Driving Instructors Association is urging a crucial change to the traffic laws, advocating that provisional license holders be allowed to drive unaccompanied during specified hours. Currently, these drivers, who have successfully passed their driving tests, are subject to restrictions similar to those imposed on learner drivers—requiring them to be accompanied by a fully licensed driver at all times. This call for reform was highlighted by Deo Narayan, the National President of the Association, emphasizing that granting these drivers the freedom to drive alone between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily could alleviate unnecessary constraints and acknowledge their proven driving capability.
Narayan further advocates that these drivers should also be granted the autonomy to drive during emergencies, arguing that the existing restrictions infringe upon their constitutional rights. He insists that provisional license holders have earned the privilege to be recognized akin to full license holders regarding driving freedoms.
The association has reached out to the Land Transport Authority and governmental leadership to reconsider and amend the current regulations. Such modifications could not only ease mobility pressures on families and enhance workforce efficiency but may also integrate smoothly with broader legislative efforts aimed at road safety improvements. However, this push for change is set against the backdrop of other legislative measures like the Land Transport Amendment Bill 2025. This proposed bill seeks to introduce a two-tier system for provisional licenses, aiming to enhance road safety through stricter requirements and penalties for traffic offenses among provisional drivers.
Current reports have underscored the prevalence of traffic violations among provisional license holders, raising concerns about their readiness to drive independently. Approximately 20% of road fatalities have been linked to unpredictable driving behaviors such as speeding by this group. The government’s recent focus suggests a cautious yet optimistic approach, balancing between facilitating allowances for new drivers and maintaining stringent safety standards.
As these discussions unfold, there is a hopeful prospect that a revised approach could harmonize the empowerment of competent drivers with overarching safety objectives, fostering a more secure and efficient driving culture in Fiji.
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