New regulations to assist in clearing driving licence backlog

The backlog of driving licences which occurred between November 2021 and January 2022 will be cleared by April 2022, as the transport department is set to establish regulations.

This was announced by the National Department of Transport in a statement on Thursday.

The transport department said it was well on track with the production of outstanding driving licence cards.

“The renewal backlog, that was experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, grace period will be cleared by September 2022.”

It said the following regulation would apply in due course:

– Motorists who applied to renew their driving licence cards before March 31, 2022, will have their driving licences valid for a further three months – on condition that they are in possession of their old driving licence cards. They must also have proof of fees paid for the application to renew in a form of a receipt.

The regulation was also applicable to those who had applied to renew their driving licence cards since February 25, 2022 and before the end of the grace period of March 31.

“Their driving licence cards will also be valid for a further period of three months. Applying after the expiry date would require the motorist to also apply for a temporary driving license.”

The department said motorists were therefore encouraged to apply for renewals before the expiry date to avoid incurring any possible additional costs.

This follows the Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration and Public Works and Infrastructure hearing that a huge backlog had been caused by the closure of licensing centres due to a number of reasons, such as Covid-19, corruption, faulty equipment and downtime-systems at licensing centres in many provinces.

It said the issue had occurred largely in Gauteng.

Chairperson of the select committee on transport, public service and administration and public works and infrastructure, Kenny Mmoiemang said the Select Committee received a briefing by the Department of Transport on progress made to address the backlogs and on the details of the memorandum of understanding entered into with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

“The committee noted that the Department of Transport issued a one-year grace period for the renewal of licences from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

“The total backlog of driving licences that expires by March 31, 2022, stands at 2.1-million nationwide.

“Nationally more than 1.2-million licences out of a total of 2.8-million expired licences are yet to be renewed.”

Mmoiemang said the department was requested to look at alternative ways to deal with the driving licence backlogs such as extended hours.

This also comes as the recent dispute with the driving schools had been resolved.

“The department is happy to report that driver’s licensing and testing centres (DLTCs) are now in full operation to assist the public.”

Transport department Minister Fikile Mbalula recently again reiterated that the grace period for licence renewals would not be extended beyond the end of March.

“I urge motorists to go to the various centres to renew their licences. We also increased the capacity at centres such as the ones in Waterfall and Centurion.”

ALSO READ: Calls for extension of deadline for driver’s licence cards

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