Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian lawmaker Sarifuddin Sudding, a member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, has proposed a radical change to the nation's driving license system.

He is advocating for lifetime validity of driving licenses (SIM), vehicle registration certificates (STNK), and motor vehicle registration plates (TNKB).

Sudding made the proposal during a working meeting with head of the Traffic Corps, Police Inspector General Aan Suhanan, on Wednesday. The proposal aims to alleviate the administrative burden on motorists and Indonesian citizens, in general.

He drew a parallel with the lifetime validity of resident identity cards (KTP), arguing that a similar approach should be applied to driving documents.

"Similar to the KTP, the SIM should be valid for life after a single issuance," he said.

The lawmaker highlighted the financial implications of frequent renewals, stating that while individual renewal costs may seem modest, they can accumulate into significant expenses for the public.

Moreover, he questioned the system's primary beneficiary, suggesting that it mainly serves the interests of procurement vendors rather than the public good.

To address concerns about reckless driving, Sudding proposed revoking the licenses of individuals who repeatedly violate traffic regulations.

The proposal aligns with international practices. Several countries have adopted longer validity periods for driving licenses. For instance, Singapore offers lifetime validity until the age of 65, while in France, the validity period extends to 15 years.

He added that the proposal was previously submitted to the chief of police, Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who responded positively and indicated that an evaluation would be conducted.

If implemented, this reform could significantly simplify the lives of Indonesian motorists and reduce administrative burdens, he contended.

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Translator: Melalusa Susthira Khalida, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaks
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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