To reduce backlogs, the City of Ekurhuleni dedicated a day for pensioners to renew their driver’s licence.
The launch of the initiative took place at the Kempton Park Testing Centre, where Pheladi Mmoko, MMC for community safety, engaged with the elderly on the first day of the launch at the end of March.
“Covid-19 has taught us a number of issues such as the fact that elderly people often have comorbidities and as such we really need make arrangements that will cater for them in a manner that is free from any risks,” said Mmoko.
“We decided to dedicate at least one Saturday of the month to provide a service just to the elderly. This service is available without booking online and, although launched in Kempton Park, it is also available at the Boksburg and Springs Driver’s Licence Testing Centres from 8am to noon.”
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The city set aside resources and to assist any person who is 60 years and older to renew their driver’s licence on the day.
“With limited slots available on the eNatis online system, all motorists have been frustrated when they have had to renew their driver’s licence. We want to reduce the frustration experienced by our elderly by putting aside resources to make renewal of driver’s licences convenient for pensioners,” explained Mmoko.
Pensioners need to take their ID, current driver’s licence and two ID-sized photos with when renewing a licence.
A fee of R228 for renewal and an additional R70 for a temporary driver’s licence will be applicable if the licence is expired.
“It is important to note that this does not apply to all testing centres in Ekurhuleni. The campaign, will for now, run at the three centres.
“What I saw at the launch is so overwhelming. The feedback we got tells me moving forward we will have to run the campaign at all our centres,” added Mmoko.
“I interacted with the elderly and received several suggestions and wonderful ideas from them to better the service.
“I also picked up a number of things we will need to amend accordingly such as the fact that we are dealing with elderly people and some of them can’t stand for long in queues. Although there are chairs provided, we have to get more chairs.”
When asked about more services possibly being added on a dedicated day, Mmoko responded: “We have started with the issue of licence renewal, which is an issue that contributes to the backlog we have in licensing operations.
“We want to be proactive and see if we can introduce more services.”
Mmoko advised that the elderly take an eye-test certificate with them as, even though they can have their sight tested at the centre, having one ready beforehand will help speed up the process.
“We appeal to the community, especially the younger generation, to populate the campaign and share it with the elderly so the campaign can be well received,” said Mmoko.
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