Outa calls for fines waiver amid licence card backlog
Outa has urged the Transport Minister to pause fines for drivers waiting for new licence cards due to the significant backlog, citing unfair penalties for system failures.
Civil action organisation Outa has called on Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to pause fines for people who cannot show their valid driver's licences due to the backlog caused by the breakdown of the sole card-printing machine.
The Department of Transport reported a staggering 690,000 driving licence card backlog, leaving many motorists in a precarious situation, reports The Citizen.
Outa's executive director, Stefanie Fick, argues that fining motorists who are still waiting for their renewed cards is unfair. "The public is penalised for failures not of their own making but due to a broken system that is currently unable to meet service delivery expectations," Fick said.
She believes that the department should take a similar approach to the Covid-19 pandemic, where blanket extensions were issued on expired driver's licences.
Outa has asked Minister Creecy to:
- Place a moratorium on fines related to expired driver's licence cards for motorists who have already applied for renewals.
- Waive temporary licences until all backlogs are cleared.
- Provide public communication of this moratorium through all official channels.
- Provide clarity to enforcement officials to prevent unwarranted fines and harassment of motorists.
Fick also emphasised the urgency of extending the validity of driver's licences from five years to 10 years. This change would reduce administrative pressure on the system, save costs and align South Africa with global best practice.
Outa believes that the department should take a fair and compassionate approach, recognising that the backlog is due to internal systemic failures rather than a national emergency.
By waiving fines and temporary licences, the department can alleviate the burden on motorists and demonstrate a commitment to good governance.
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