MPI hits brakes on plan to waive road test for some drivers amid strike-related disruptions

Manitoba Public Insurance is reversing course on a plan to waive the road test for some new drivers amid strike-related disruptions and criticism over the plan from some driving instructors.

The Crown corporation had repeated on Thursday afternoon that due to backlogs from cancellations, some who have completed the MPI driver's-ed program, called Driver Z, would be allowed to get their licence without a road test.

Hours later, MPI hit the brakes on that plan.

"As a result of an overwhelming response from the driver education community, MPI is now satisfied there will be sufficient resources available to resume Class 5 testing for all drivers, including graduates of the Driver Z program," reads a statement from MPI late Thursday afternoon.

"MPI is pleased with the positive response it has received from its driver education partners across the province, and their willingness to assist MPI in resuming driver testing services for our mutual customers."

About 1,700 MPI workers have been on strike since Monday after collective bargaining talks hit an impasse between the Crown corporation and the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union.

MPI said more than 2,000 Class 5 road tests have been cancelled. In light of backlogs, MPI announced Wednesday it would resume road tests for its Class 5 licensees through a partnership with certified driving education instructors outside of MPI.

Initially, MPI was going to waive the road test for some who had gone through the MPI driver's-ed program.

Before going back on those plans, two Winnipeg driving instructors told CBC News they had concerns that waiving the test could create headaches — or worse — on the roads.

"All people that take driver's ed, they are not fully qualified to get a licence without testing. And if we do that, we are putting more risk on our road," Dilli Sapkota said before the change.

Driving instructor Lek Kinnarath with Maple Leaf Driving School echoed Sapkota's concern. He said he has taken out students over the years who have completed that MPI program but weren't road ready.

"And MPI is going to go out and give them [a] licence to those students? There will be tonnes of accidents on the streets," said Kinnarath, who has been a driving instructor for three decades.

Driver's ed students account for 12 per cent of all road tests conducted by MPI, according to the Crown corporation.

MPI board chair Ward Keith said the program includes 20 hours of classroom instruction, 15 hours of in-vehicle training and evaluation. It also typically requires a minimum 45 hours of practice driving.