Transport minister’s steps to alleviate testing centre delays welcomed by AA
Interventions announced recently by the transport minister, Fikile Mbalula, to deal with problems relating to driving licence renewals were welcomed, and indicated real progress in resolving challenges faced by motorists throughout the country
The Automobile Association (AA) said the extension of the validity period of all licences to the end of March 2022 is also a welcome step, but that it remains concerned that the measures may not be implemented in time for those with expired documents to renew them.
Mbalula announced that all licences – learner’s licences, driver’s licences, professional driving permits and temporary licences – which expired between March 26, 2020, and August 31, 2021, will be valid until the end of March next year.
The minister noted a lack of capacity at Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs), corruption, the slow speed and unavailability of the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS), faulty live capture units (for fingerprints and ID verification), and faulty eye testing machines as the main challenges facing the centres in their provision of adequate services.
“We are naturally happy that many of the solutions we have been proposing for some have been considered. Among these is the establishment of more DLTCs, the introduction of mobile centres and kiosks at busy centres, extended operating hours of the DLTCs, the ability of DLTCs to accept online payments, and the submission of eye tests by optometrists directly to NaTIS. This all makes sense and will, hopefully, ease pressure on the system. But now it is all a question of implementation,” said AA.
In addition, the minister also noted planned improvements to the online booking system in Gauteng. The AA said this is long overdue and must be done as a matter of urgency.
According to Mbalula, there is a backlog of 2.8 million licences that need to be renewed nationally, but only 1.2 million have so far been processed. This means that 42% of licences must still be renewed. This is in addition to the motorists who require renewals that accrue monthly.
“The minister again noted that the problem is not with motorists but with the DLTCs. This is significant, as it acknowledges that the system is the problem, not motorists. The interventions he has announced must now be put in motion. Our concern is that the timeframes are tight, and that many motorists may be stranded without the necessary renewals, forcing yet another extension in March,” the association concluded.
Source: AA
