The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has advised all driving schools to strengthen the efficiency and quality of teaching after it found irregularities related to the conduct of the schools.

The transport ministry held a September 19 meeting to enhance driving schools for all vehicle types, aiming to improve teaching quality and school management efficiency. The meeting brought together Department of Land Transport experts and directors from 54 driving schools in Phnom Penh and provinces, as reported by the ministry.

Land transport department director-general Chhuon Vorn said that the meeting aimed to enhance the performance of driving schools in the capital and the provinces.

He explained that the ministry called the meeting due to irregularities in implementing a proclamation regarding school licensing procedures. Some schools were also discovered to have improperly issued receipts bearing the ministry’s logo.

The ministry has decided to hold two annual meetings with driving schools across the country, he said.

“We have agreed to hold two meetings a year and urge all driving school heads to enhance teaching and school management efficiency at their branches and to establish an association promptly,” he continued.

Vorn encouraged them to embrace challenges, comments, and suggestions, noting that some suggestions had been addressed, while others were under review.

In 2021, the ministry reported issuing 42 registration certificates to driving schools and permitting them to operate 184 branches nationwide between 1990 and 2020.

Kim Pagna, the country director of Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP), underscored the importance of improving driving school quality for enhanced road safety.

He mentioned that it is essential to have competent and alert drivers with proper traffic safety knowledge and