I recently went to the licensing department to renew my vehicle licence. I arrived at about 8am and already there was a queue of at least 30 to 40 metres.
I joined this queue which moved at about one metre every five minutes. After about 20 minutes a car guard, yes, a car guard, because nobody from the licensing department tried to provide any guidance – asked the queue to move as it was interfering with traffic in the parking area.
As the queue moved, another car guard – yes, not an official of the licensing department – pointed out to me that there are two queues and that the right-hand queue was for ‘licence discs’.
I and a few others then joined this queue. After another 20 minutes in this queue yet another car guard approached us and said that we were in the wrong queue. There is only one queue which splits in two near the entrance door.
By this time the other queue had grown again to about 40 metres! I decided to just leave in disgust as I am 75 years old. I had a back operation recently and cannot stand for long periods of time.
Some questions for you:
1. Why is organising the queue(s) left to the car guards? Why is a licensing department official not doing it? At least there should be clear signage if you cannot afford a person to do this. It currently appears to be a haphazard mess.
2. Why is there not a separate queue for the elderly/ handicapped etc? Or at least an official that moves around the queue(s) to help them get serviced quickly?
Ideally, it should be possible to pay your licence online and then simply collect it (10 minutes max!).
I trust that you will advise me when, where and with whom I can come and pay my licence so that the entire process does not take longer than 30 minutes.
FROM THE EDITOR
Caxton has partnered with CarLicence.co.za to provide you with a simple, fast and convenient licence renewal service without leaving your home!
Click here to read more: Renew your vehicle licence online – simple, fast and convenient
Service cost including courier costs is R199, this excludes the cost of the vehicle licence. Click here to get your quote online.
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