Motorists with expired driving licence neglecting to renew

Many motorists are neglecting to renew their documents ahead of the March 2022 deadline, the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) has warned.

In Gauteng, 509 888 expired driving licence cards have expired.

According to RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane, catching up with the backlog of driving licence cards that expired between March 2020 and August 2021 was moving slowly.

Nationally, the backlog now stands at 1 476 853.

Gauteng accounted for 509 888 driving licence cards not yet renewed; followed by KwaZulu Natal (242 170), Western Province (192 519), Limpopo (134 886), Mpumalanga (122 566), Eastern Cape (107 601), Free State (71 165), North West (69 350) and Northern Cape (26 708).

ALSO READ: RTMC nudges motorists on licence renewal deadline

Zwane said only 25% of renewal applications were because of people affected by the lockdown and covered by the validity period’s extension, whereas 75% were from applicants who were exempted from the extension.

Zwane called on motorists with expired driving licence cards to make arrangements at their earliest convenience, while time still permitted for them to renew their documents and not wait until the last minute.

He said the corporation noticed that motorists were not taking full advantage of the extended validity to renew their documents.

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula had extended the validity of driving licence cards that expired between March 2020/August 2021 to 31 March 2022.

ALSO READ:RTMC nudges motorists on licence renewal deadline

Motorists had to note that this was an effort to assist driving licence card holders to comply with legislation.

“Motorists are warned not to be complacent as the March 2022 deadline is fast approaching. Chances are that another extension will not be granted.

He said 30% of applicants who book for renewals online do not show up to finalise the application.

Zwane said Mbalula had launched two new driving licence centres in Gauteng increasing available capacity in the province by 26 000 more slots per month.

All the other provinces, except the Northern Cape, had introduced extended operating hours in 106 major centres and are opening on weekends to clear the backlog.

The two RTMC-operated centres at Waterfall Office Park in Midrand and Eco-Origins Park in Centurion operate from 07:00 to 21:00 daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.

ALSO READ: Gauteng transport dept eases licence renewal backlog

Zwane said motorists who had applied for the renewal of their licence cards when the two RTMC centres opened in October could now collect their cards.

“Messages are being sent to those whose cards are ready for collection.”

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