Licence renewal a dreaded process

Eric writes:

Can you please explain to me why the online system has been made available, when it does not seem to work?

I have managed to register my profile and received my one-time PIN (OTP) without any problems. I then proceeded to try and book one of the available slots, all went well until I had to get my OTP. I am still waiting, two hours later.

So what is the use of an online booking system if it does not work properly?

Mr Benoni hands out parcels to residents in Daveyton

I called 0861 400 800 to get some support and nobody answered the phone.The same for the Benoni licensing phone number (011 999 7622).

Surely, with the Covid-19 pandemic the use of online facilities should be prioritised to avoid the unnecessary gathering of people.

The metro advises residents to keep their pets warm

I went to the Benoni licensing department and there were close to 50 people queuing outside. Isn’t it illegal under the lockdown legislation for more than 50 people to gather in one place?

So now because of the incompetence of the licensing department and the National Traffic Information System, they are actually encouraging the congregation of people in one area and breaking the lockdown regulations.

Why hasn’t online payment been made available yet?

This could have been done during lockdown as most system development can be done remotely.

Now, for me to renew my licence I need to take at least half a day leave just to make the booking, and then I will most probably have to be at the licensing department by around 6am to 6.30am, standing in a queue with other people and increasing my chances of contracting Covid-19.

For me to get my licence renewed could cost me one and a half day’s leave. If I work on a conservative hourly rate of R200 per hour and 12 hours spent standing in queues, my licence cost me R2 400, excluding the actual licence cost, and I greatly increased my risk of contracting Covid-19.

Why can’t it be as easy as getting your ID document through the bank?

I booked online, paid online, on the booked date and time I arrived at the bank, they were on time and the process went very quickly. I was there at 9am and out the bank at 9.06am.

Why can the licensing department not make use of a similar system?

If it is good enough for IDs and passports, why not for driver’s licence renewals?