Less bureaucracy, more transparency. This is the common thread linking the measures launched in recent months by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, aimed not only at providing faster service to citizens but also at tackling chronic corruption linked to the driver’s license issuance system and other critical administrative procedures.
The use of technology as a tool for transparency and the gradual transition from paper-based procedures to digital systems were at the core of the initiatives launched during the period when Konstantinos Kyranakis held political responsibility for the Transportation sector.
Driven by the need to address long-standing problems, an extensive digital transformation program was launched, which continues to be implemented and expanded by the current political leadership under the new Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, Giorgos Kotsiras.
Specifically, a series of changes has been set in motion regarding the process of issuing driver’s licenses, with the aim of eliminating corruption, installing cameras and microphones during exams to fully record the process, creating a unified electronic system for the written tests, and a platform for filing complaints has already been launched: report-diplomata.gov.gr.
Cameras During Practical Exams
Another key component of the reform being promoted by the Ministry of Transport is strengthening the integrity of driver’s license exams. The new digital environment provides for the recording of practical exams and full electronic monitoring of the process. The goal is to ensure that every stage is documented and verifiable, thereby enhancing the system’s reliability and limiting the scope for disputes or interference.
Plans call for the installation of a camera and an audio recording system in every test vehicle, in collaboration with driving schools, to ensure transparency during the driving test.
The examiner will scan a unique QR code using a tablet, which will automatically activate the camera and identify the vehicle, thereby initiating the recording of every moment of the test. Each recording is archived in full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and international information security standards, ensuring the protection of each candidate’s personal data.
Tamper-proof examination system
At the same time, a new digital system for written exams is being developed, featuring advanced authentication mechanisms and the ability to track results statistically.
The ability to analyze data and identify anomalies creates, for the first time, internal control tools that can highlight suspicious patterns and help proactively address issues of lack of transparency.
The new Theory Test System will consolidate all procedures into a single digital platform, allowing the relevant agencies to have a complete overview of the testing process, better coordination, and immediate access to data. The new digital system is already in trial operation at the Directorate of Transportation and Communications in Heraklion and is expected to be expanded to the rest of the country.
Report-diplomata.gov.gr
Through the report-diplomata.gov.gr platform, which has already been launched, an effort is being made to put an end to incidents of corruption—commonly known as “bribes”—for the first time via a unified digital reporting portal.
Citizens can report incidents of bribery, demands for “bribes,” improper practices, or unjustified delays, either by name or anonymously. Consolidating this information on a single platform enables the relevant authorities to better assess complaints and identify recurring patterns of misconduct. Complaints are not made public, and access to the data is restricted to authorized personnel.
Complaint Process
Any individual wishing to file a complaint visits the platform and provides the necessary information, provided they have direct knowledge of or documentation regarding an incident relevant to the review process.
Specifically, a complaint may be filed in the following cases: demands for money; instances of indirect pressure from examiners, driving schools, or intermediaries; candidates’ fear that they will not pass the exams without payment; and instances of tolerance for practices that wrong citizens and discredit the public administration.
The following steps are followed for the procedure. First, the citizen reports the incident using the private form, describing what happened (region, date, testing center, person involved, examiner, driving school, etc.).
The complaint may also be filed anonymously, without providing a full name or email address. Each complaint is reviewed by authorized personnel with the authority to assess it, and the information is then automatically forwarded for review to the National Transparency Authority and the Internal Affairs Department of the Hellenic Police and to the relevant agency bodies so that the required investigation can begin.
Finally, manual procedures
Through a series of measures already being implemented at the Ministry of Transport, the digital transformation is moving forward, enhancing transparency and the speed of service for citizens regarding driver’s license issuance, vehicle transfers, renewals, license extensions, etc.
The first major step involves the comprehensive digitization of citizens’ interactions with transportation services, such as vehicle transfers, driver’s license renewals, license extensions, etc. Applications that until recently required in-person visits, the exchange of documents, and multiple trips to government offices are now processed electronically.
To date, according to data from the Ministry of Transportation, more than 2.1 million digital applications have been processed, while approximately 8,000 new requests are submitted daily. This change not only makes things easier for citizens and industry professionals but also creates a fully documented transaction environment, where every action leaves a digital footprint.
Issuance of Driver’s Licenses Without Intermediaries
One of the most significant changes involves the automatic issuance of driver’s licenses following a successful practical test. In the vast majority of cases, manual intervention by a civil servant is no longer required, as the process is completed digitally.
New drivers can view their license in the gov.gr Wallet within about a week and then pick up the physical driver’s license. This change significantly speeds up the issuance of driver’s licenses, while also eliminating steps that have historically been prone to delays or opaque practices.
Thousands of licenses have already been issued through the new system. A prime example of the change taking place is the approximately 40,000 pending driver’s licenses that had accumulated under the old paper-based process. These licenses are now integrated into the new digital system and are available through the Gov.gr Wallet, marking the practical transition from the old operating model to the new digital era.
Digital Issuance of License Plates
The process for issuing license plates is also changing and will now be conducted electronically. Citizens will be able to complete the entire process digitally, from submitting the application and selecting a license plate number to paying the fees and receiving the plates.
The system will then automatically assign the production of the license plates to a certified manufacturer, and the applicant will be notified digitally at every stage of the process until the license plates and registration certificate are received. In this way, every stage will be recorded electronically, enhancing traceability and limiting the potential for opaque practices.
SOURCE: APE