DEADLINE! Driver’s licence renewal
This time government remains steadfast that the grace period will not be extended beyond the end of March, despite several requests made.
March 31 is the last day for South African motorists to renew their expired driving licence cards without facing a penalty.
It appears the driver’s licence renewal grace period will not be extended beyond the end of this month for motorists whose driver’s licences expired during lockdown.
The EMPD pointed out that motorists can renew their driver’s licences online provided their photos are still valid.
EMPD media liaison officer Thabiso Makgato encouraged motorists to apply before the expiry date to avoid incurring any possible additional costs.
The following regulations will apply:
• Motorists who apply to renew their driver’s licence before March 31, 2022, must have proof of payment for their application, which can be in a form of a valid receipt.
• Those who applied after the expiry date will be required to apply for a temporary driver’s licence.
Makgato also stated the disputes between the department and driving schools have been resolved and licensing and testing centres are now in full operation to assist the public.
The mounting backlog was caused by the hard lockdown and reportedly made worse by a breakdown of the country’s licence printing machine last year.
Deadlines have been extended several times for driver’s licence renewals to allow government to clear the backlog of reportedly over one million licence renewals.
However, this time government remains steadfast that the grace period will not be extended beyond the end of March, despite several requests to do so by Outa and AA.
The transport minister, Fikile Mbalula, previously announced a grace period for licences that had expired between March 26, 2020, and August 31, 2021, which he later extended to the end of this month.
