SA driving licence card: Here’s what to do to avoid a fine with the backlog
South African drivers, make sure you always carry your driving licence to avoid facing fines. Here’s what's changing and what you need to do.
In South Africa, motorists are required to always carry their original driving licence while operating a vehicle. Failure to do so can result in a fine of R500. Photocopies or digital images of the licence are not considered valid substitutes.
If your licence has been lost or stolen, it's essential to keep proof of the new application handy in case you're stopped by authorities, reports BusinessTech.
Key requirements when stopped:
Original licence: Motorists must carry their original driving licence while driving.
Proof of application: If you've applied for a new licence card but haven't received it yet, keep proof of application with you.
Temporary licence: If you've been issued a temporary licence, ensure it's valid and carry it with you.
The Department of Transport is currently dealing with a backlog of driving licence card applications due to the country's only card printing machine being out of service earlier this year.
The backlog stands at approximately 733,000 cards, with the department working to clear it as soon as possible. According to Outa, the printer can only process between 14,000 and 19,000 cards in a 14-hour shift, which means clearing the backlog would take 40 to 53 days, excluding new applications.
The department has appointed IDEMIA Identity and Security - South Africa as the preferred bidder to produce new smart driving licence cards. However, the tender process has faced challenges, and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has requested that the contract be set aside and the tender process re-run.
In the interim, the Department of Home Affairs' Government Printing Works (GPW) will provide assistance. There's also a proposal to extend the validity period of driver's licence cards from five to eight years.
What to do to avoid a fine:
If you've applied for a new licence card, keep proof of application with you. Make sure your licence is valid and not expired and if you're experiencing delays, follow up with the relevant authorities to resolve the issue.
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