The Great License Renewal Struggle: Until when is my expired driver’s license valid in South Africa?
Our Transport Minister has spoken again, and we've been given yet another grace period if we were unable to get our licenses renewed. Here are the new rules and how our government is planning to make the renewal process easier.
If you have been unsuccessful at renewing your expired driver’s license, there’s no need to stress...for now. Usually, a driver’s license is valid for five years from the date of issue, and you would normally apply for a new one around four to six weeks before the expiration date.
This is no longer the case, given our countrywide struggle to get our licenses renewed. Fortunately, we now have until next year to get it sorted.
Yet another extension
You’ve probably heard that the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, has extended the validity of learner’s and driver’s licenses as well as driving permits (which expired between 26 March and 31 August 2021) until the end of March 2022. This comes after an initial grace period for licenses expiring between 26 March 2020 to 31 December 2020, which has now expired also.
Many motorists complained that they were unable to make any kind of appointment on the eNatis website and that there were constant issues with payments, and no available slots at all, especially in Gauteng. The eNatis website itself also leaves much to be desired on the efficiency and user-friendliness side of things. As is expected, corruption also plays a part in this widespread incompetence.
A backlog beyond belief - here are the proposed measures
According to Minister Mbalula, only 1.2 million license renewals have been processed, but there are still around 2.8 million licenses in need of being renewed (approximately 42%). This is in addition to the motorists who require renewals, which add up on a monthly basis.
In order to ensure a smoother and more efficient renewal process, Mbalula has called for major changes in the existing licensing system to be implemented. These include more Driving License Testing Centres (DLTCs), the introduction of mobile license renewal kiosks in busy centres, extended opening hours for DTCS, a functional online payment system for DLTCs, and for eye tests to be submitted directly from optometrists to NaTIS.
“In addition to the interventions the province and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) are making in arresting the corruption that has bedevilled the system, additional capacity will be added through the opening of two Driving Licence Testing Centres operated by the RTMC at Waterfall Park in Midrand and Eco Park in Centurion.
“These two centres will open their doors on 1 October 2021 and will operate seven days a week, from 07h00 to 21h00. The operationalisation of these centres will add 35,380 renewal slots per month and increase Gauteng capacity for renewal slots by 48%,” Mbalula said.
“As part of the rollout of a bouquet of services to improve customer experience, processes to introduce online payments are advanced, and a banking partner has already been appointed.”
“While we had agreed with the MECs that operating hours of DLTCs must be extended, a number of provinces have experienced challenges relating to overtime. However, significant progress has been made in this regard”, Minister Mabula added.
The AA is skeptical
Despite the Minister’s good intentions, the Automobile Association is still concerned, understandably:
“The Minister again noted that the problem is not with motorists but with the DLTCs. This is significant as it acknowledges that the system is the problem, not motorists. The interventions he has announced must now be put in motion. Our concern is that the timeframes are tight, and that many motorists may be stranded without the necessary renewals, forcing yet another extension in March.”
What about my car insurance?
Should you get into an accident, and you’re worried about not getting the insurance payout you deserve, insurance companies won’t necessarily reject your claim, but will probably require proof that you actively tried to renew your license, so now is not the time to relax completely. We know it’s frustrating, but keep trying to sort that license out, if you can.
Source: The Automobile Association of South Africa, The Government Gazette
