New regulations provide a lifeline for those with expired driving licences in South Africa
In response to a massive backlog in issuing new driving licence cards, the Department of Transport has announced temporary measures
Image: File
In response to a massive backlog in the issuing of new driving licence cards, the Department of Transport has announced temporary measures that allow motorists to use expired licences as a valid form of identification.
The new rules, contained in the Government Gazette published last week, provide a grace period for expired licences, easing the impact of delays caused by a breakdown of the country’s only licence card production machine.
"There is a backlog in the issuing of driving licence cards due to the challenges experienced by the Card Production Facility from 05 February 2025 until 07 May 2025, when the card production machine broke down. The Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) is grappling with the card production backlog, which at that time was sitting at over 700,000 driving license cards," the department noted
According to the Gazette, motorists will have a three-month grace period during which their expired driving licence card may still be used as valid identification, provided they applied for a renewal before the original card expired and can show proof of application.
For those who missed the deadline and applied after their card had already expired, the Department requires that they also obtain a temporary driving licence, which will be valid for six months or until the new card is issued.
The Department has informed airlines to accept expired driving licence cards as valid forms of identification for boarding domestic flights, as long as the above conditions are met.
"A motorist can keep their old card after its expiry and apply for a temporary driving licence. Such an expired driving licence card may be used for a period of up to three months. Provided the holder thereof can show proof that he or she applied for a new card before the current card expired," the department said.
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