Drivers given lifeline for licence renewals
Operating hours at specific licensing centres have been extended.
Applications by people whose driver’s licences have expired or will expire soon because of the lockdown will be prioritised, according to the Gauteng traffic department.
Such applications will be given priority in the booking system as part of a new strategy to deal with the current backlog, said departmental spokesperson Theo Nkonki,
The department, in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Tshwane metro, has also set aside every Tuesday from 26 October until 31 January 2021 to assist applicants whose licences are expiring or whose validity has been extended to 31 January 2021.
In addition, Wednesdays have been set aside to assist any applicant who is 60 years or older to renew their driving licence or apply for a professional driving permit (PrDP).
These applicants would not be required to make prior bookings.
On Mondays, centres would avail slots for the renewal of driving licence cars and PrDP applications.
“These will be available to applicants whose driving licence cards have not yet expired. Centres will avail slots for renewal services based on available resource and operational plans,” Nkonki said.
On Tuesdays, centres would avail slots for driving licences and learners’ licence test applications.
“Upon application, to secure an appointment, successful applicants should confirm their bookings. Bookings must be confirmed by making a payment any day from Wednesday to Friday,” Nkonki said.
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Failure to do this would result in the secured booking being cancelled.
Wednesdays were declared “pensioners walk-in day”.
“Centres will prioritise pensioners with their driving licence renewals. Pensioners are not required to make prior bookings and other services will continue as normal,” Nkonki said.
Centres that renew driving licence cards and process PrDP applications would avail priority renewal of driving licence cards and PrDP applications on Thursdays.
“Such slots will be available only to applicants whose driving licence cards have expired,” Nkonki said.
Centres with new extended hours – from 08:00 to 18:00 – on weekdays were Centurion, Akasia, Bronkhorstspruit and Waltloo.
Meanwhile, other centres which operate from 18:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, in Tshwane, were Centurion, Akasia, Bronkhortspruit and Waltloo.
“To improve the process and enhance the experience, applicants are encouraged to bring their signed and stamped optometrist or ophthalmologist tests to centres,” Nkonki said, adding that Covid-19 related regulations would be adhered to.
In July, transport minister Fikile Mbalula published regulations that all learner’s licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits that expired between 26 March and 31 August have been extended until 31 January 2021.
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