Government gazettes 10-year driving licences for public comment

What the gazette says

The DOT’s gazette proposes that driving licence cards for codes A, A1, B and EB be valid for 10 years from the date they are ordered and produced at the card-production facility. Licence cards for codes C1, C, EC1 and EC would remain valid for five years from the date of production.

Effect on existing cards

The gazette confirms current five-year cards for codes A1, A, B and EB will remain valid until a new card becomes available. The notice states those existing cards will lapse three months after their original expiry date if not replaced.

Process and timing

The notice has been published for public comment for 30 days from the date of publication. The gazette therefore does not bring the changes into immediate effect; further legislative steps are required once the comment period closes.

Approval and timeline

The publication follows confirmation that Cabinet approved the extension. The source states Cabinet approval was confirmed by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni at the end of July 2026.

The DOT had earlier listed 10-year licences in its short- and medium-term goals and had targeted Cabinet approval in March 2027. The source says that target was met about eight months early. Officials had initially planned to change licence validity by 2028, but the timeline has since been accelerated.

Reaction from advocacy group

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) commented on the pace of change. The source quotes OUTA:

“If the Minister of the Presidency really wanted to, it could be fast-tracked in the next couple of months. However, the swift move to public consultation suggests the department is accelerating rather than stalling this time around,”

What motorists should know

Until the public comment period closes and any required legislative steps are completed, the proposed 10-year validity is not yet in force. Existing cardholders for affected licence codes should keep their current cards until a replacement becomes available, noting the three-month lapse rule after original expiry if not replaced.