Motorists have been warned about delays when applying for new and renewed driver’s licences, as the country’s only card printer is still broken, Pretoria Rekord reports.

According to the National Department of Transport, the machine used to print the cards has been broken since February.

Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said it could take several weeks before the machine is fully operational.

“Ordinarily, a licence card application takes between six to eight weeks to be issued. Drivers are advised to apply for their driving licence renewal before they expire, to enable them to qualify for a three-month grace period,” he said.

He said those who have already applied for licence cards can present proof of the renewal application to law enforcement officers if they are pulled over while driving.

“The other option is to apply for a temporary driving licence, which is valid for six months,” Bokaba said.

According to The Citizen, the licence card printing machine is 26 years old and has had almost 160 breakdowns, which have become more frequent.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s spokesperson Collen Msibi told the publication that the department is working on repairing the machine should be running again by mid-May.

Outa has recently written to Creecy, requesting urgent feedback on the ongoing breakdown of the licence card printing machine.

“Motorists are once again being subjected to delays and inconvenience due to the ongoing failures of this outdated system. The Department must explain why the machine is not operational, despite previous repairs and maintenance contracts,” Outa’s CEO Wayne Duvenage said.

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