In the context of the road safety reform plan approved by the Council of Ministers yesterday, Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Peev held talks with representatives of driving schools. The main focus of the discussion was addressing the shortage of examiners for those wishing to obtain a motor vehicle driving license, the ministry's press office announced.
To avoid a situation where staff shortages hinder the work of schools and candidates, Peev emphasized the need to make the best possible use of existing resources. "The goal is to utilize available resources to the maximum extent so that the shortage of examiners does not become an obstacle for candidates and driving schools," the minister noted. In this regard, the creation of monthly schedules tailored to the number of available staff is being introduced to ensure service coverage in all regions. In areas experiencing the highest pressure, the possibility of holding exams even on weekends will be provided.
With the aim of attracting and retaining the necessary experts, the ministry is considering options for increasing employee compensation, as provided for within the 2027 budget. At the same time, capacity optimization is forthcoming, stemming from the transfer of functions from the Executive Agency "Automobile Administration" to the Ministry of Interior, recalling the government's decision to centralize safety data in a single center.
Along with administrative transformations, Minister Peev emphasized the need for long-term steps. Working meetings with the team from the Ministry of Education and Science are upcoming, aimed at updating training documentation and learning materials. The Ministry of Transport and Communications will continue to monitor the results of these measures through a constant dialogue with driving schools, the press office clarified. The reform also provides for the restructuring of existing bodies into a single national authority – the Executive Agency "Road Transport Operator".