Eight-Year Licence Validity Could Cost Drivers More, Warns Creecy

For South African motorists who’ve been eagerly waiting for longer driving licence validity, there’s a catch it could come with a higher price tag.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that while government fully intends to extend the validity of driving licence cards from five years to eight, the move may force an increase in renewal fees.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Creecy said the department is deliberately taking its time to avoid making a decision that later creates financial problems.

Why the Delay? Follow the Money

At the heart of the issue is funding.

South Africa’s driving licence cards are produced through a well-established system overseen by the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA). The current five-year renewal cycle helps ensure a steady flow of revenue to cover production, staffing, systems, and distribution.

Extending validity to eight years means fewer renewals and less money coming in.

“There could be an implication that there isn’t enough revenue if it’s every eight years,” Creecy explained, adding that government may have no choice but to increase the tariff to balance the books.

In short: longer validity could mean fewer renewals, but higher fees per renewal.

“We’re Not Rushing This”

Creecy stressed that government wants to get the decision right the first time.

“Once we take the decision, we should not be in a situation where later we say, ‘Whoops, there were unintended consequences,’” she said.

A formal study into the financial impact of the change is still under way, but Creecy expressed hope that the matter would be finalised within the year, bringing an end to a debate that has dragged on for more than a decade.

Card Printing Chaos Still Lingers

The licence renewal system has been under intense pressure since early 2025, when the department’s only licence card printer broke down, creating nationwide backlogs.

In response, the Department of Transport signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government Printing Works (GPW) a Home Affairs entity to temporarily take over card production.

According to Creecy, IT systems between the departments have already been integrated, and a prototype licence card has been developed.

However, progress now hinges on Cabinet approval after the courts ruled the controversial Idemia tender irregular, forcing government back to the drawing board.

One Card, One Identity and Eventually Digital

Beyond fees and printers, government has its eye on a much bigger transformation.

Creecy confirmed plans to eventually merge the driving licence and ID into a single document, aligning South Africa with international best practice.

This wouldn’t just reduce fraud it would also pave the way for a fully digital identity system.

That future was recently showcased by Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi, who demonstrated a digital driving licence during a live demo of the MyMzansi App.

Inside the Digital Licence Demo

During the November 2025 Global DPI Summit, Malatsi showed how a licence renewal could be completed entirely on a smartphone in minutes.

The digital licence displayed:

• Full personal details

• Licence number and categories

• Traffic fine status

Users could renew their licence directly in-app by:

• Verifying credentials

• Uploading a photo

• Completing a digital form

• Paying securely through the app

Once payment was made, the renewed digital licence appeared instantly in the digital wallet.

Public Reaction: Excitement, With Skepticism

Online reaction has been mixed. Many drivers welcome the idea of fewer renewals and digital convenience, but others are wary.

“Eight years sounds great, until the fee doubles,” one user commented on social media.

Others questioned whether government should first fix backlogs and broken printers before introducing fee hikes.

The Bottom Line for Drivers

Yes, longer licence validity is coming.
Yes, digital licences are part of the plan.

But for now, South Africans should brace themselves for the possibility that convenience may cost more, at least until the system fully modernises.

As Creecy put it, the goal is to close this chapter properly, without yet another “Whoops” moment.

{Source: My Broad Band}

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