Driver’s license renewals extended to 2022

All learner’s licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits that expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021 are deemed to be valid, and their validity periods are extended for a further grace period ending on 31 March 2022. Transport minister, Fikile Mbalula, has announced the extension in the Government Gazette. “To give motorists a fair opportunity to renew their licences, while we are rolling out a number of measures to improve efficiencies and resolve challenges, we have decided to extend further the grace period for the renewal of licences,” Mbalula stated.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, road users have struggled with renewal appointments for their licence cards at license offices, which has led to a massive backlog of more than 50 000 applications. Mbalula said that a total of 1.2 million expired licences still had to be renewed. The blame has been put on corrupt officials and faulty equipment for the backlog. Mbabula’s announcement comes after calls from civil action organization, OUTA, to extend the grace period after it received complaints from many frustrated motorists about the booking process. OUTA welcomed the extension, but asked why the government had left the issue and until the last minute. In turn, the Democratic Alliance has made many proposals to fix the process, including scrapping the online booking system and allowing motorists to do walk-in renewals.