The licensing department, which falls under the community safety division and works closely with agencies such as the EMPD and DEMS, is urging motorists to ensure their vehicle documentation is up to date to avoid unnecessary penalties and administrative complications.

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The department handles vehicle registration, licence renewals, change of ownership, and related services for motorists.

Speaking at the Germiston Motor Vehicle Registration and Administration (MRVA) office, division manager Joyce Mabena highlighted that change of ownership remains one of the department’s most common challenges.

Mabena said that illegal practices, such as having third parties complete transactions on behalf of vehicle owners, pose serious risks and are strongly discouraged.

She also cautioned against non-standard office practices and emphasised the importance of secure payment methods.

“We often experience challenges during change of ownership processes, particularly where people send others to complete transactions on their behalf.

“This poses a serious risk, which is why we ensure that all documents correspond properly. We also discourage unnecessary cash payments to avoid issues related to crime,” she said.

She added that when all required documents are in order, vehicle renewal processes can be completed quickly.

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“If you come with all the necessary documents, it takes less than 10 minutes to complete your vehicle renewal. We encourage people to ensure their details correspond correctly when they come to our offices,” said Mabena.

Explaining the change of ownership process, Mabena said it is essential that proper documentation is completed when a vehicle is sold to ensure legal compliance and avoid future disputes.

She said the required documents include the necessary registration forms, after which the transaction is processed and recorded in the name of the new owner.

“We often encounter problems when people buy vehicles without formal sale agreements. The issue arises when the seller fails to notify the department of the sale, thereby delaying the change-of-ownership process. Buyers are given 21 days to complete the process and regularise their documentation,” she said.

Mabena also explained procedures for the deregistration of vehicles in cases where a car is stolen, damaged beyond repair, or no longer in use.

“If a vehicle is stolen, the owner must report it and apply for deregistration so it can be marked accordingly.

“In cases of accidents where a vehicle cannot be repaired, or if it is no longer in use, owners are encouraged to deregister it. This prevents unnecessary licensing fees on vehicles that are not operational,” she said.

She urged both buyers and sellers to communicate clearly during vehicle transactions to avoid financial and legal complications.

“I do not want to blame the public, but I encourage sellers to properly inform buyers about the correct procedures when transferring ownership. This helps prevent stress, disputes and potential crime linked to vehicle transactions,” she said.

Residents of Thembisa are reminded that licensing services are available locally, reducing the need to travel long distances to obtain vehicle registration and renewal.