Gauteng transport dept eases licence renewal backlog
The department said more than 51 000 people managed to renew their driver’s licence cards in November compared to 31 000 in October.
The Gauteng public transport and roads infrastructure department said it has made great strides in easing the backlog in licence renewals over the past two weeks.
This as Gauteng public transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo met with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) on Monday to assess progress.
Mamabolo said he was happy with how the department with RTMC and DLCA were making progress in catching up with licence renewal backlogs. This follows last month’s decision for driver testing licensing centres in the province to dedicate 70% of booking slots and capacity towards driving licence renewals.
“In just two weeks, we have substantially increased the number of available slots,” said Mamabolo.
He said over November, the department noted an increase in the availability of booking slots to more than 80 000, up from over 50 000 slots that were available in October.
“More than 51 000 people managed to renew their driver’s licence cards in November, compared to 31 000 in October.
“We also note the recent extension of the grace period for individuals whose driver’s licence validity was affected by the Covid-19 lockdown between March and August. We, however, urge driver’s licence holders not to wait till the last hour to renew their driver’s licences,” said Mamabolo.
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He said, however, his department was aware of the trend that seemed to be developing where people failed to honour their appointments.
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula recently extended the validity period for all learner’s licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits that expired between 26 March and 31 December until 31 August 2021.
Mamabolo said as part of new measures to deal with the backlog, the department and its partners would introduce mobile driver testing licensing centres across Gauteng.
He said the department had also extended the working hours for all provincial driver testing licensing centres, allowing them to be open on Saturdays and Sundays.
“Our driver testing licensing centres will also be open during the festive season,” said Mamabolo.
He said the department was also finalising appointing a company that would investigate allegations of corruption and bribery at driver testing licensing centres.
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