The task of renewing one’s driver’s licence in South Africa has proven to be an arduous one because of a multitude of systemic issues and administrative hurdles. This has left motorists waiting for far too long primarily because of outdated infrastructure, tender controversies, and policy decisions.
Outdated Printing Infrastructure
Currently in South Africa, there is just one driver’s licence card-printing machine that is 26 years old and that has seen 159 breakdowns in its entire lifecycle. With this frequency of breakdown, many expediently renewed licence applications become back-logged by untold numbers of days, even at times by 58 working days or more.
Tender Controversies and Delays
The Department of Transport undertook the modernization of the system to be more resilient by introducing new driver’s licence cards, including advanced features in its security elements. Unfortunately, the process of acquiring new printing machines proved to be riddled with complications.
The contract awarded to Idemia Identity and Security South Africa in September 2024 increased in price from R468 million to R899 million, with serious concerns about corruption being raised. This triggered Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to call for an investigation by the Auditor-General, further putting brakes on the launch of the new system.
Rejected Solutions: Licence Validity Extension and Digital Licences
The Department of Transport has rejected proposals to increase the validity period of a driver’s licence from five years to ten years, citing health reasons and the need for regular eye tests. Digital driver’s licences have also been put forward as a solution but would not accord to the existing policy framework.
Impact on Motorists
These core issues caused South African motorists to experience prolonged waiting periods and cumbersome administrative challenges in renewing their licences. Given the overstretched current system and the delays in introducing new possibilities, it will be prudent for motorists to commence their renewal as soon as possible before their licence expires so as to save themselves from further inconveniences.
Conclusion
With the existing situation of licence renewal in South Africa being dogged by delays from the implementation of unfit infrastructure, the tender troubles, and policy decisions refusing other responses such as extended validity periods or even digital licences, motorists should embrace this ugly scenario and plan around these difficulties.