Cabinet approves 10-year validity for light vehicle driving licences

Cabinet has approved extending the validity period for South African driving licences for light motor vehicles from five years to 10 years. The announcement was made by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni following a post-Cabinet briefing after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.

Who the change covers

The extension applies to licences for light motor vehicles, specifically Code A, A1, B and EB driving licences. Heavy commercial vehicles and public transport vehicles will continue to follow the existing two- or five-year renewal cycles. Professional Driver Permits (PrDPs) remain on the current two-year renewal period.

Why Cabinet approved the extension

Ntshavheni told reporters the move is intended to align South Africa with international practice, ease pressure on licensing administration and reduce the frequency of renewals for motorists. She said the change will improve administrative efficiency and reduce demand on the country’s licensing system.

When the change takes effect

The extended validity period will not take effect immediately. As Ntshavheni warned, the change requires legislative amendments before it can be implemented. She said motorists must therefore continue to renew expired driving licence cards until the new law takes effect.

Background and previous proposal

The Cabinet decision extends beyond an earlier proposal from the Department of Transport to increase the validity period to eight years. The department’s Director-General, Mathabatha Mokonyana, told Parliament’s Select Committee on Public Infrastructure last week that work had been finalised on an eight-year extension and that an assessment found South Africans overwhelmingly supported a longer renewal period.

“They don’t want to come back to us every five years. So we definitely will be moving to eight years soon,”

Cabinet’s decision now increases the proposed validity period to 10 years, but the change remains subject to the legislative process.

What motorists should do now

Motorists should continue to follow the current renewal requirements until Parliament completes the necessary amendments to the law and the new 10-year validity is formally enacted.