Driving licence renewal period could soon be extended to 10 years
Cabinet has approved extending driving licence validity for light motor vehicles and motorcycles from 5 to 10 years, but it's not yet in effect.
LIMPOPO – Motorists with licences for motorcycles and light motor vehicles could soon only need to renew their driving licences every 10 years after Cabinet approved an extension to the current validity period.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced on Thursday that Cabinet had approved increasing the validity period for driving licences for Codes A, A1, B and EB from five years to 10 years.
Not yet in effect
However, the change is not yet in effect.
Ntshavheni said the necessary legislation must first be amended before the longer renewal period can be implemented.
Motorists have been advised to continue renewing expired driver's licence cards for light motor vehicles and motorcycles until a new law extending the validity period from five to 10 years comes into effect.https://t.co/L8GhHi4XdL#GovZAUpdates pic.twitter.com/1lRf6zfVJR
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) July 30, 2026
What the change means
Once the legal changes are finalised, the 10-year validity period will apply only to:
- Light motor vehicles
- Motorcycles
What stays the same
The approval does not affect licences for heavy commercial vehicles or public transport vehicles. These will continue to follow the existing two- or five-year renewal cycles, depending on the licence category.
Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) are also unchanged and will still need to be renewed every two years.
What motorists should do now
The move is expected to reduce the frequency with which millions of South African motorists need to renew their driving licence cards.
For now, motorists are reminded that the current five-year validity period remains in place until the required legislative amendments have been completed and the new system is officially implemented.
