History of K53

 

 

In the 1980’s, based on the UK system known as the Highway Code, the K53 was a project reference number initially given by the CSIR to the development of standard means of measuring driver proficiency and skills. The number given to the test was based on proposals that were submitted and the reworked versions were upgraded numerically.

Test number K53 was finally accepted as the way to test applicant drivers.

The National Road Safety Council, as it was called then, originally published the K53 system, “K53 Driving Licence Test”, and it comprised of three volumes - one for light motor vehicles one for heavy vehicles and one for motor cycles.

On 1 January 1992, the system for testing heavy vehicle drivers was officially implemented.

As part of the Road Traffic Act Regulations, the K53 was later gazetted by the DoT (Gov Gaz 19571 of 8 December 1998).

An amended version, compiled in August 2005, was published and promulgated with immediate effect in Gov Gaz 28446 of 7 April 2006. A fourth volume was added to provide for the testing of light motor vehicle combinations (EB). Another important addition was the introduction of a minimum vehicle length of 3 metres for a light motor vehicle test (category B) and 6 metres for a heavy vehicle test (categories C1, C). The level of proficiency required to pass the heavy vehicle yard test was significantly increased by reducing the number of allowable penalty points from 50 down to 20.

 

 

 

 

What is K53 & what is the purpose of the K53 driving test?

 

 

K53 is a defensive driving system aiming at keeping a clear space around your vehicle at all times in order to prevent / minimize possible road predicaments and collisions with other road users (vehicles, pedestrians) and\or obstructions, animals etc.

The purpose of the K53 driving test system is to measure the capability of a novice driver regarding the handling of a vehicle; vehicle control; obedience to traffic rules, signs, signals and markings as well as the ability to cope with traffic situations and driving/ road problems.