Less bureaucracy, more transparency. This is the thread connecting the interventions launched in recent months at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, with the aim not only of faster service for citizens but also of addressing chronic corruption phenomena linked to the system for issuing driving licenses and other critical administrative procedures.
The use of technology as a tool of transparency and the gradual transition from paper-based procedures to digital systems were at the core of the interventions launched during the period when Konstantinos Kyranakis had political responsibility for the Transport sector.
Starting from the need to address chronic dysfunctions, an extensive digital transformation program was put into effect, which continues to be implemented and expanded by the current political leadership under the new Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Giorgos Kotsiras.
In particular, a series of changes has been launched concerning the way driving licenses are issued, with the aim of eliminating corruption, installing cameras and microphones during examinations for full recording of the process, creating a unified electronic system for theoretical tests, while a platform for complaints has already been put into operation: report-diplomata.gov.gr.
Cameras in practical examinations
An important part of the reform promoted by the Ministry of Transport is also the strengthening of the integrity of candidate driver examinations. The new digital environment provides for the recording of practical examinations and the full electronic monitoring of the process. The goal is for every stage to be documented and capable of being checked, strengthening the reliability of the system and limiting the scope for dispute or intervention.
The installation of a camera as well as an audio recording system in every examination vehicle is planned in cooperation with driving schools so as to ensure transparency during the driving test.
The examiner will scan a unique QR code via tablet, automatically activating the camera and identifying the vehicle, and thus the recording of every moment of the examination will begin. Every 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.
Integrity-proof examination system
At the same time, a new digital system of theoretical examinations is being developed with advanced identification mechanisms and the ability to statistically monitor results.
The ability to analyze data and identify deviations creates, for the first time, internal control tools that can highlight suspicious patterns and contribute preventively to addressing phenomena of opacity.
The new Theoretical Examinations System will gather all procedures in a single digital platform, allowing the competent services to have a complete picture of the examination process, better coordination and immediate access to data. The new digital system is already in trial operation at the Directorate of Transport and Communications of Heraklion and its operation is expected to be expanded to the rest of the country as well.
Report-diplomata.gov.gr
Through the report-diplomata.gov.gr platform, which has already been put into operation, an attempt is being made to put an end to incidents of corruption, the well-known to all "bribes", for the first time, through the unified digital complaints portal.
Citizens can report, by name or anonymously, incidents of bribery, demands for an "envelope", unfair practices or unjustified delays. The gathering of information on a single platform gives the competent authorities the ability to better assess complaints and identify recurring phenomena of misconduct. The complaints are not made public, while authorized personnel have access to the data.
Complaint procedure
The interested party who wishes to submit a complaint visits the platform and fills in the necessary information, if and insofar as they have direct knowledge or documentation of an incident concerning the examination process.
In particular, the complaint is submitted in the following cases: request for money, case of indirect pressure from examiners, driving schools or intermediaries, fear on the part of the candidate that they will not pass the examinations without payment, and cases of tolerance of practices that wrong citizens and expose the public administration.
For the procedure, the following steps are followed. Initially, the citizen registers the incident through the private form, describing what happened (Region, date, examination center, person involved, examiner, school, etc.).
The complaint can also be made anonymously, without full name or email. Each complaint is evaluated by authorized personnel who have the competence to assess it, and then the data are automatically forwarded for review to the National Transparency Authority and the Internal Affairs Division of the Hellenic Police and to the competent service bodies, so that the prescribed investigation may begin.
End of handwritten procedures
With a series of interventions already being implemented at the Ministry of Transport, digital transformation is moving forward, strengthening transparency and the speed of service to citizens regarding license issuance, vehicle transfers, renewals, license extensions, etc.
The first major reform concerns the universal digitization of citizens' transactions with Transport services, such as vehicle transfers, driving license renewals, license extensions, etc. Applications that until recently required physical presence, circulation of documents and multiple visits to services are now processed electronically.
To date, according to data from the Ministry of Transport, more than 2.1 million digital applications have been processed, while approximately 8,000 new requests are submitted daily. This change not only facilitates citizens and professionals in the sector, but also creates a fully recorded transaction environment, where every action leaves a digital footprint.
Issuance of driving licenses without intermediaries
One of the most important interventions concerns the automatic issuance of driving licenses after the successful practical examination. For the overwhelming majority of cases, manual intervention by an employee is no longer required, as the process is completed digitally.
The new driver can see their license in the gov.gr Wallet within about one week and subsequently also receive the printed driving license. This change significantly speeds up the issuance of licenses, while at the same time removing stages that were traditionally considered vulnerable to delays or opaque practices.
Thousands of licenses have already been issued through the new system. A characteristic example of the change taking place is the approximately 40,000 pending driving licenses that had accumulated from the old paper-based process. These licenses are now being integrated into the new digital system and are becoming available through the Gov.gr Wallet, reflecting in practice the transition from the old operating model to the new digital era.
Digital issuance of plates
The process for issuing license plates is also changing, as it will now be done electronically. The citizen will be able to complete the entire process digitally, from the application and the selection of registration number to the payment of fees and the receipt of the plates.
Subsequently, the system will automatically assign the manufacture of the plates to a certified manufacturer and the interested party will be digitally informed of every stage of the process until receipt of the plates and the vehicle registration license. Thus every stage will be recorded electronically, strengthening traceability and limiting the possibilities of opaque handling.
SOURCE: ANA