Time almost up to renew driving licences and discs – AA

THE grace period for the renewal of vehicle discs and driving licences will end on Tuesday, August 31.

The Automobile Association (AA) is reminding motorists to renew their documents as no further extensions are being considered.

Government extended the validity of some documents as licencing centres were closed in line with lockdown regulations, causing a backlog in the renewal process.

The first extension covers learner’s licences, driver’s licences and professional driving permits which expired between March 26, 2020, and December 31, 2020.

The second extension covers the period from March 26 to May 31, 2021 for vehicle licence discs, temporary permits and roadworthy certificates.

The AA has, however, called on the government to find lasting solutions to the renewal problems.

‘Government acknowledges that there are problems at the Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) which renew these documents,’ said AA spokesperson Layton Beard.

“Despite this, no further extensions will be considered, meaning people are at the mercy of a broken system. These problems will continue to persist until government takes a bold decision to replace – not repair or revamp – the current IT systems, along with increased human resources at DTLCs.”

Beard said all current systems across the country must be replaced to improve service delivery.

“We have said, time and again, that the current operations of the DLTCs need to be expanded, that the private sector must be roped in to assist,” he said.