SIX big changes for NEW driving licences in SA

The Department of Transport earlier this year said it aims to roll out new digital driving licence cards in South Africa this financial year as it pushes towards greater virtualisation and automation of the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA).

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HERE ARE THE SIX BIG CHANGES COMING TO SA

There will be six big changes that you need to know about:

• The new cards, formally known as mobile or electronic driver’s licence (eDL), will be piloted from 1 November 2023 and will include a new licence design.
•  The digital driving licence is part of the longer-term goals to optimise driving licence production and reduce the turnaround time of producing and distributing licences by the DLCA.
• Motorists can apply for a physical card and electronic driver’s licence that will be accessible through a motorist’s mobile phone.
• A new driving licence card in South Africa will have improved security features, including biometric data, holograms, and watermarks, to reduce fraudulent licences and improve road safety.
• The department previously suggested that the current five-year validity of driving licences could be extended to eight years. Current cards will continue to be recognised as valid until 31 March 2029.
• The current driving licence cards will be phased out, with the printing machine that produces them being decommissioned in 2023.

This should make it quicker and easier to get and renew driving licences in the country – and they may also be valid for longer.

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IT SHOULD MAKE THE DRIVERS’ LICENCE RENEWAL PROCESS QUICKER AND EASIER

The department noted that in 2022, the average processing time to issue a driving licence was 26 days. For 2023, it aims to bring this down to 14 days. By 2025, it aims to have licences processed in 10 days.

“Producing a driving licence card within five days is an achievable goal that requires us to work diligently in the service of our people,” the department said.

“Moving away from paper-based processes in our service delivery environment would enable us to drastically cut the turnaround times. This should include processing of applications for operating licences, tourist accreditations and other similar processes.”

The Transport Department

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THE NEW LICENCES MAY BE VALID FOR LONGER

The department previously suggested that the current five-year validity could be extended to eight years. Current cards will continue to be recognised as valid until 31 March 2029.

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