Expired driver’s licence cards renewal deadline extended
EMPD urges motorists to renew their expired driving licence cards before the new deadline has passed to avoid facing a penalty.
Motorists who missed the March 30 deadline to renew their driver’s licence card can breathe a sigh of relief, as Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has reportedly extended the deadline to April 15.
The initial deadline for the renewal of expired driver’s licence cards was on March 31, and the minister had previously maintained that the grace period would not be extended beyond the end of March, following the previous several extensions.
However, according to media reports, the minister published the 15-day extension in the Government Gazette on Thursday.
As previously announced by the department, Mbalula was supposed to address the nation on the matter on March 31 but postponed the briefing to April 1.
It has been reported that in a government gazette published on March 31, Mbalula said all learner licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits that expire during the period between March 26, 2020, and March 31, 2022, are deemed to be valid and their validity has been extended for a further grace period ending April 15, 2022.
The EMPD has encouraged motorists to renew their expired driving licence cards before the new deadline has passed to avoid facing a penalty.
According to the EMPD, motorists can renew their driver’s license online provided their photos are valid.
“Motorists are urged to apply before the expiry date to avoid incurring any possible additional costs,” said EMPD media liaison officer Thabiso Makgato.
Motorists who apply to renew their driving licence cards before the deadline has passed must have proof of payment for their application, which can be in a form of a valid receipt.
However, those who applied after the expiry date will be required to apply for a temporary driver’s licence.
Makgato also pointed out that the disputes between the department and driving schools have been resolved and licensing and testing centres are now in full operation to assist the public.
The mounting backlog was caused by the hard lockdown and reportedly made worse by a breakdown of the country’s licence printing machine last year.
Deadlines have been extended several times for driver’s licence renewals to allow the government to clear the backlog of reportedly over one million licence renewals.
