Demonstrators demanding that the government fail to leave after hearing the good news: driving tests will be held

“The subject of driving tests has been on our agenda for several weeks. We dedicate this time to ensure the best preparation. We are very aware that this is a very important issue, and it is simply necessary for a part of society due to the nature of the work that is being done, that is why today we have received good news, the government has supported this statement.

Of course, both Regitras and driving schools must have security measures in place. The morbidity situation in the country continues to be tense, so we must all act responsibly, ”says Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė.

Due to quarantine restrictions, missed driving practice exams pose serious social problems: when they can’t pass the exams due to loss of driver’s license, lose their job, or don’t have access to a job that requires a license of driving.

As of December 16, about 11,000 people have been dropped from practice tests. persons. These people will be able to take practical driving tests from Wednesday.

The government has approved and will resume operations of the driving school.

On February 15, the WEEE approved the resumption of the driving tests and presented this proposal to the Government.

He protested against government decisions

Protesters gathered in several cities across the country on Wednesday demanded that the government resume practical driving training and exams.

In the capital, next to the Martynas Mažvydas National Library, a couple of dozen people waiting for the exam and training said they needed the right to drive to go to work.

Dozens of instructors from local driving schools also came here, saying it was difficult to live without income during the fourth month.

Rūta Balavakaitė, who works as a chef, says that he has been waiting for the driving test at Regitra since December, he needs the right to drive for work reasons.

“I have been waiting for the exam since December, but it has been canceled (…) -Mother of years.

“Employers are waiting, but they won’t wait any longer,” he added.

Tomas Kazickas, 35, told BNS that he had previously lost his right to drive and had registered to take the test at Regitra in December, but that it was canceled.

The man says that even finding a job without the right to drive is difficult.

“I would very much like to be able to pass the category B exam now (…) Now in quarantine, I cannot find a job because one of the main indicators when looking for work is the right to drive.” said a man who worked as a builder.

At the time, 20-year-old Kamil Kondratjeva says she is waiting for a road test at a driving school, which is currently closed.

“I need to hold an internship at a driving school … I am currently looking for a job and a lawyer,” the girl who is currently looking for work told BNS.

He added that he did not understand why driving schools could not be allowed to function.

“People use public transportation and don’t follow the rules, beauty salons work, there is contact with people, and driving schools can’t open,” said K. Kondratjeva.

“This is inequality”

Arnold Zhalkovsky, one of the organizers of the campaign in the capital, told BNS that it is wrong that some sectors are allowed to operate and that driving tests and training are prohibited.

“It is an inequality, for example, buses can transport more than a few people and school cars cannot be used alone,” said the 26-year-old courier.

He says the courier is currently working with a colleague who has the right to drive.

“I transport packages on buses, a friend drives, so I have to join in and help too,” said the man.

The campaign organizer also said that she was sad that the campaign did not take place in Kaunas.

“Not everyone was very sad, because Kaunas did not even consent to the picket. I hope the authorities will pay attention and open not only ‘Regitra’, but also driving schools,” said A. Žalkovskis.

The protests took place in Vilnius, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevėžys, as well as in Marijampolė.

Trainers: It’s hard to survive in downtime

Artūras Bilotas, an instructor at the Dorkanas driving school, says he has been down for several months, as have other driving instructors.

“We want to eat. I’ve been somewhere since December 20,” said the 52-year-old BNS.

It states that driving schools are ready to provide adequate safety measures to protect against COVID-19.

“During the first quarantine, we also cleaned cars, there are disinfectant fluids, with masks, students with masks, we ventilated cars,” said A. Bilotas.

He added that he hoped the government would open not only the Regitra but also driving schools, as it was a “lottery” for students to take the exam at the Regitra after a break of several months.

Rigveda instructors are also prepared to meet safety requirements.

Pavel Gulbinovic, 52, says there were no cases at his driving school during the first quarantine.

The driving instructor also says that it is difficult to survive without working for several months.

“It is very difficult to survive because you are sitting at home, you cannot go anywhere, it is closed,” Gulbinovičius told BNS.

According to the government-approved quarantine mitigation plan, practical driver training and driving tests and driver training would resume when the coronavirus incidence rate fell below 200 new infections per 100,000. population within two weeks, and the proportion of positive tests would not be more than 10 percent.

According to data from the Department of Statistics, currently this indicator in Lithuania reaches 254.7 new cases per 100 thousand. population.