FOR far too long, Guyana’s driver licensing system has been a safe haven for corrupt practices.
It has functioned as a murky environment where incompetence disguised as oversight allowed unqualified drivers to obtain licenses without merit. The recent revelation of widespread irregularities by President Dr. Irfaan Ali is a necessary confrontation with failing institutions that have put public safety at risk.
The numbers tell a troubling story. When 150 people pass the mandatory theoretical exam, yet 450 receive practical certificates, the extent of corruption becomes clear.
This is intentional wrongdoing. Someone deliberately bypassed the checks meant to ensure that only skilled drivers operate vehicles on our roads. The fact that the Guyana Revenue Authority issued more licenses than the total number of legitimate theoretical and practical passes reveals a system rotting from the inside.
What stands out about this government’s response is its use of technology for accountability. The newly digitised audit trail tracks every step of the licensing process—from theoretical testing to practical certification and final issuance.
This shows that transparency and oversight are not just goals; they are achievable realities. Critics have long dismissed the idea of using technology as costly unnecessary fluff. The recent audit demonstrates otherwise. When used correctly, technology becomes an untainted record of institutional misconduct.
The six-week amnesty given to offenders shows practicality, not weakness. It recognises that some people may have been trapped in a failing system while offering a chance for them to correct their mistakes. However, those who do not comply must face serious consequences. Public naming, license suspension, and prosecution are appropriate responses for endangering the lives of many through false credentials.
The government must also hold accountable the people who orchestrated this corruption, not just those who were manipulated or who went along with it. Traffic officers who altered records, supervisors who ignored the issues, and administrators who allowed these problems to happen share the same blame as those who obtained fake licenses. Without full accountability throughout the entire process, any reform will be seen as nothing more than political performance.
The wider lesson goes beyond driver licensing. This audit reveals why government digitisation should always be essential, not optional, for service delivery.
Guyana’s roads are already dangerous, with a high mortality rate. Adding unqualified drivers to the mix is unacceptable. The government’s strong actions indicate that the time for tolerating systematic corruption is nearing its end. The nation should expect no less.