00:00The upheaval coming for drivers and why it will affect their wallets
00:04On September 14, applicants for a driver's license in Colombia
00:07They would have to take a new theoretical exam to be able to access the document
00:12This is in addition to the tests that are already being applied today
00:15The new requirement, which would also apply to those seeking to change category
00:20It would cost around 800,000 pesos
00:22and would be administered by a new transit entity called
00:26Logistics Support and Evaluation Centers, the CALE
00:28But this whole plan was put on hold.
00:31after the Ministry of Transport suspended it for at least 3 months
00:35This plan while you review whether it really makes sense.
00:39Incidentally, the CALE centers would be operated solely by the National Open and Distance University
00:45through contracts worth 20 trillion pesos over 20 years
00:49The process has already been challenged by other universities
00:53So, for now, the exam has been postponed, not canceled.
00:57Heads up! The check-up lasts 3 months
00:59If it returns, drivers will have to pay that additional 800,000 pesos.
01:04If it does not return, Law 2251-2022 remains in effect
01:09That suspension is one piece of a larger package
01:12President Abelardo de la Espreya announced changes to fines, licenses, photo tickets, and procedures.
01:17All framed within the new National Traffic Code
01:19Fines are the most sensitive issue
01:22Today, a serious infraction can cost several million pesos.
01:25The president proposed to Congress reducing its value by up to 50%.
01:29An infraction must have a proportionate penalty.
01:33It cannot become an economic burden for a Colombian family.
01:37He wrote in X
01:38The courses required to access discounts are also under review.
01:42The president called the house arrest requirement absurd.
01:46To enable the CIAs, the Comprehensive Care Centers
01:50He said it had only served to concentrate the business in the hands of a few operators
01:54Then he proposed eliminating that requirement
01:56Reduce the cost of courses by 25%.
01:59And allow traffic authorities to dictate directly
02:02Traffic camera fines have their own chapter
02:05In May 26, the Superintendency of Transportation revealed that
02:087 million traffic tickets were issued without considering technology performance.
02:14Without proper calibration
02:16Then Superintendent Alfredo Piñérez confirmed it
02:19More than 5,800,000 traffic camera fines could be cancelled
02:23In Cali, the traffic tickets issued between December 2018 and November 2024
02:28In Barranquilla, those from 2018 to 2020
02:30In Cundinamarca, from 2018 to 2024
02:33The president ordered a comprehensive review of all photo-detection systems.
02:38He said there's a business behind the scenes
02:41Minister Novela added that
02:43Electronic detection should prevent accidents and save lives
02:47Not to become a revenue-generating mechanism
02:49The Rund and CIMIT also went under review
02:53The government seeks to eliminate redundancies and reduce fees.
02:56Today, the same procedure can involve risks on both platforms
03:00The idea, in short, is that a procedure shouldn't cost twice.
03:05The technical-mechanical inspection is also reviewed
03:08Today, a new car undergoes its first inspection after 5 years.
03:12A motorcycle at age 2
03:13Then, every year
03:14The government wants to adjust the cost and frequency.
03:17Set deadlines, reasonable ones
03:19The driver's license is also on the table
03:21Today it lasts 10 years for those under 60.
03:245 between the ages of 60 and 80
03:26One year after the 80s
03:27For public service, 3 years
03:29The president proposed extending the validity from 8 to 10 years
03:32And eliminate all unnecessary charges
03:34All of this points to a new National Traffic Code
03:37Minister Novela said that Colombia
03:39It cannot continue to be governed by a traffic code disconnected from reality.
03:43So, right now, the ministry is already working on a draft
03:47It's worth mentioning that the current code is over two decades old.
03:51For now, the suspension of the Cale is already a fact
03:54And the review of traffic camera fines too
03:56But the reduction of fines is a proposal that depends on Congress.
04:01While the license extension is under review
04:05Along with the technical-mechanical inspection
04:07As of today, the fine keeps arriving.
04:09The process is still ongoing
04:11The license still lasts the same amount of time
04:13The government says there are fees and controls
04:15That ceased to make sense
04:17You will have to show which ones
04:19And Congress will have to approve the changes
04:21Meanwhile, the driver remains on the road
04:24And the envelope keeps arriving at the house
04:26If that helped you understand the licensing landscape a little better
04:29And what does the new government intend?
04:30Follow us on social media
04:32See the article at elespectador.com
04:34And tell us, above all, how this might affect you.
04:38Or someone you know
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