MPI to allow Sunday road tests to ease backlog

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This article was published 24/08/2022 (757 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Public Insurance says it will conduct testing on Sundays to whittle down months-long driver exam waiting lists.

MPI said Thursday “higher-than-normal demand for more Class 5 road tests” has caused it to offer Sunday tests at two of its largest centres.

Satvir Jatana, MPI vice-president and chief customer officer, said in a statement “our long treacherous winter filled with numerous road closures and appointment cancellations, coupled with the backlog from COVID-19, has fuelled the longer wait-times for testing.

“Our team is deploying multiple initiatives to alleviate this backlog and give more access to road tests.”

Bookings begin Aug. 31 for tests will be offered at the Bison Drive Service Centre and the Gateway Road Service Centre from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., starting Sept. 11.

MPI warned would-be drivers who choose to take their test on a Sunday that even if they are successful, they won’t get their licence right away.

“Only road test services will be available on Sundays,” a MPI news release said.

“Upon the successful completion of a road test, customers will be provided with documentation to be taken to either an Autopac agent or an MPI service centre during normal business hours to complete the licensing process.”

Megan McLean, who was on the waiting list for months for a road test, got her licence last week.

McLean said she is glad MPI is working to reduce the waiting list by opening up Sundays for appointments.

“Hopefully, it will make the backlog go down and help people get tests sooner. Hopefully, it will at least start to help the problem.”

Harold Tabin, owner of A Confidence Driving School, said while the extra day might knock down the lengthy wait list, it makes it too easy for drivers.

“How many people are on the road on Sunday? Not many,” Tabin said.

“The challenges you see on weekdays don’t exist. It means you could get your licence on a Sunday and then they drive on a Monday to Friday and they panic and get into an accident. It may be a solution for the backlog, but there is no challenge for the drivers.

“Every person for testing will want the Sunday because it is the easiest period.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca