Welcome to your driving life. How soon will you have your driver's licence?
It probably felt like an eternity, but you've finally completed your driving lessons, written your test, done the driving test, and passed it all with flying colours. How long will you wait for your driver's licence? (Find out how much it will cost, here)
Once you have passed the test, you will be given a temporary paper licence, and as soon as you have this piece of paper in your hand, you can start driving. You will need to pay a fee for the Driver Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) to issue this to you. Now, every time you get behind the wheel of your (or any) car, this piece of paper has to accompany you.
Your official driver’s licence card (the one that fits into your wallet so nicely) will be ready for collection in about four to six weeks. If all goes well, you will be notified when you can pick it up from the DLTC. In some instances, the DLTC will mail it to you, but make sure you know beforehand by asking the relevant person(s) there.
Related: Can I buy a car without a license?
How long is your licence valid for?
A driver’s licence is valid for five years and must be renewed at least a month before it expires, but because of issues with the eNatis online booking system (click here to be taken straight there), it's recommended that you give yourself enough time; some people struggle for months to get a booking. Residents outside of Gauteng and the Eastern Cape don't have to use this system, fortunately. (Here's how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license.)
Once your licence expires, the good news is that you do not need to retake the driving test, but you will have to undergo an eye test just to be sure that you can still see properly and that you don’t pose an unnecessary risk to other road users. If your eyesight has deteriorated, the DLTC may attach new conditions to your licence.
Can you have the eye test done beforehand?
By going to an optometrist for an eye exam and bringing the necessary paperwork with you, you can save some time. You will also be required to have fingerprints taken at the DLTC. Just bear in mind that your eye test can't be older than three months.
Taking ID photos for your driver's license - here's how
Renewing your licence? Here's what to take with you
If your licence is still valid, you'll need to present the following documentation along with your application:
- Your ID book or card, temporary ID, or passport
- A copy of your ID
- Your current driver’s licence
- Four ID photos
- R228* for your renewal fee
- Proof of residence (utilities bill, telephone bill, home rental contract, or affidavit from your landlord along with their utilities bill)
- If your licence has already expired, it will set you back an extra R72* for a temporary licence, along with two extra ID photos. However, if you apply for renewal before your old licence expires, you won't need the temporary licence, as your old one's validity will be extended for an extra 3 months. You will also wait four to six weeks. Just bear in mind that we are in uncertain times, and delays are possible.
*Costs for temporary and/or permanent licences appear to vary between licencing centres throughout Gauteng (which is also more expensive than the rest of SA), so rather take along some extra cash just to be sure. The above-mentioned prices are just a ballpark figure; pricing at each DLTC is different. We suggest that you call the DLTC before you go to find out exactly how much money you need to bring, rather than going to all that trouble and standing in a queue all day just to be told you have insufficient funds.
For more information on where to go and how much it costs in different regions, please click here.
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