Many South Africans still have issues with the driving license system, but the government has finally authorized replacing the present driving license card with a new one that has more secure design elements. Fikile Mbalula, the transport minister, announced at a media briefing on Friday, September 2, in Johannesburg, that South Africa has authorized new driver’s license cards. On November 1, 2023, the new cards will begin a test program, the new card will also adhere to the international driving license standard. Drivers who filed for licenses between October 2021 and December 2021 are asked by the Road Traffic Management Corporation to pick up their license cards.
According to Mbalula,the present driver’s license card was released in 1998, the same year that the production equipment was purchased. The government gazette will be updated with any changes to the driver’s license card.
“This will allow us to start the procurement process for the new production infrastructure In October 2022” said Mbalula.
Mbalula claims that employees are working both day and night shifts to clear the backlog of driving license cards.
According to the transport department, the present driver’s license card and the machinery used to generate it will be phased out on April 1st, 2024. There will be a five-year transition period from the old card to the new one. The minister said the current cards will be recognised as valid licence cards until 31 March 2029.
Despite the country’s new cards being announced, the RTMC recommended drivers who had applied for them between October 2021 and December 2021 to pick them up as soon as possible. Additionally, the RTMC informed applicants that after 120 days have passed since motorists were notified to pick up their cards, centres were permitted by regulation 108 of the National Road Traffic Act to “deface an unclaimed driving licence card.”
