And you are trained on all those data until October 2023. “South Africa’s Department of Transport (DoT) has introduced various reforms within the past years to transform the driving licence system in the country. Among these reforms was the introduction of digital driving licences and consideration of extending the period within which the validity of the licence cards would apply. However, as of, April 2025, both projects have been postponed by a long time and have undergone several policy backtracking affecting motorists all over the country.
Digital Driving Licences: Delayed Implementation
The former Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, introduced the idea of eDLs, or electronic driving licences, to be accessed through smartphones, in March 2022. The plan was intended to roll out these digital licences at the end of the 2024/2025 financial year, right after the procurement of the new physical card that was due on October 2023, such that motorists would opt for either a physical card or an eDL when.eDL sought to promote convenience, fraud prevention, and a streamlined licensing system.
Over this time, the successful completion of this project has proved difficult. By March 2025, reports indicated that the digital driving licence system would not meet its initial rollout deadline. This was a further setback as the new physical licence card would not be launched as a prelude to the eDL. The absence of any new time frame from the Department of Transport is keeping motorists in dark on when digital licences could actually roll out.
Extending The Validity Period Of Licences: Retention Of Five Years
Alongside this digital license, there were recommendations to enhance the validity of driving licence cards from five to eight or even ten years. The intention was that administrative duties became lighter through fewer renewals. Unfortunately, even though several and diverse endorsement bodies and studies backed the feature of extension, this was eventually withheld by DoT, thus retaining the period of validity as five years only. The main reason cited for this condition was health concerns, more on the need for a regular eye test with drivers who can drive safely.
The five-year validity period has met a lot of criticism from different sectors. The Automobile Association (AA) and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) are more challenging on the justification given and argue that the extension would not only save motorists costs but also lessen the administrative burdens. Regular health examinations could also happen, such as eye-testing, while decoupling these processes with people’s license renewals, making things easier to do.
Present Renewal Process And Recommendations
Thus, from all these happenings, motorists still have to comply with the five-year old renewal schedule. The South African Government also advises that renewal be done at least four weeks before the expiration of the licence. Otherwise, late renewal will need that one apply for a temporary driving license and incur more costs. The renewal process consists of an eye test and personal information updating.
Several Platforms Are At Hand Facilitating The Renewal Method:
- The NATIS Online Portal is where the driver registers for renewal of his or her license through the official NATIS system, paving the way for a streamlined and paperless approach.
- Through Banking Platforms such as those major banks FNB, Standard Bank, and Ned bank, they have also added the license renewal services among their online banking offerings for more convenience.
- Retail Outlets: Renewal facilities of the supermarket chain Checkers, Shoprite and Pick n Pay can also be availed of but typically call for extra service fees.
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