KWAZULU-NATAL motorists with outdated number plates can expect to face penalties from authorities for not complying with the November 30 registration deadline, says KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma.

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This deadline comes two years after the initial announcement in December 2023, where motorists were informed about the transition of number plates to the new provincial system.

Consequences of non-compliance

Motorists that failed to meet the deadline will have invalid number plates after December 1, according to The National Road Traffic Act. Anyone with outdated number plates can expect to face a variety of consequences. According to MEC Duma, driving a vehicle that is not registered with the new number plate system can result in a fine or impoundment of the vehicle. Duma also says that repeated offences from unregistered motorists can lead to a criminal offence with a court hearing.

Motorists’ responses

Alicia Pillay, a Yellowwood Park resident, says that she regrets not switching to the new number plate system before the deadline.

“When I was on the road a day after the deadline, I was constantly worried about being pulled over and getting fined,” says Pillay, who now wishes she registered before the provincial deadline.

Another motorist residing in Woodhaven, Zama Ngubane, is glad to have successfully switched to the new number plate system before the deadline.

“I have seen cars with old number plates being pulled over. Metro police is taking the registration of new number plates seriously,’’ says Ngubane.

Metro police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu says that motorists with outdated number plates will receive a R500 fine. According to Zungu, motorists will have to renew their licence disc first in order to receive a new number plate, which will automatically be done after the renewed licence disc.

Places to renew your licence disc

Here are a list of places to go for renewing licence discs:

• Amanzimtoti Testing Grounds, Kingsway Street
• Rossburgh Testing Grounds, 36 Titren Road

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