Driving Licence Printing Machine Fixed but Backlogs Still Huge

After months of downtime, the Department of Transport has finally got the driving licence printing machine working again. Since February 5, the machine had been out of commission, causing a massive backlog of nearly three quarters of a million driving licence cards waiting to be printed.

The good news? The machine is fixed. The bad news? The backlog still stands at about 733,000 unprinted cards as of mid-May 2025.

Long Hours and High Costs

To tackle the huge pile-up, the department’s Driving Licence Card Agency ramped up efforts by extending working hours. But it’s not a simple fix. Behind the scenes, this isn’t just about pushing through the backlog; it’s about managing an aging, temperamental machine that’s eaten up millions in repairs over the years.

In response to questions from Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy shared some revealing details about how often the machine has broken down and what it’s cost to keep it running.

A Timeline of Breakdowns and Bills

The printing machine’s troubles stretch back several years. Here’s a snapshot of how many working days it was out of action:

• 2022/23: 26 days

• 2023/24: 48 days

• 2024/25: 17 days

• 2025/26 (so far): 38 days

That’s a lot of downtime for a machine so crucial to everyday South Africans who need their licences.

The repair bills are just as eye-opening:

• 2022/23: Over R9.2 million

• 2023/24: Around R1.65 million

• 2024/25: Approximately R545,000

• 2025/26 (to date): About R625,000

Even as the repair costs dropped after the massive 2022/23 expenses, the recurring breakdowns mean the machine isn’t getting a break anytime soon.

The Human Cost: Staff and Overtime

Running this machine is no one-person job. It takes a team of four dedicated staff members to keep it humming. And when the machine breaks down, these workers put in extra hours to clear the backlog.

Over the past few years, overtime pay has been significant:

• 2022/23: R1.44 million

• 2023/24: R1.6 million

• 2024/25: R1.35 million

• 2025/26: No overtime paid yet

This suggests efforts to manage overtime differently or a possible pause while the machine was out of service.

What About a New Machine?

With all the breakdowns and repair costs piling up, you’d expect a brand-new printing machine to be on its way. But the reality is more complicated. Minister Creecy revealed that the department is moving cautiously. To avoid irregular spending, she said the minister has requested a court declaratory order before proceeding with any new tender for a replacement machine.

This legal step means the road to a new machine might be longer than drivers would like.

The backlog of hundreds of thousands of licences is more than just a number. It means delays for drivers, frustration for those trying to renew or get their licences, and strain on the staff working overtime to catch up.

While the machine is fixed and working, it’s clear this problem isn’t solved overnight. With costly repairs, frequent breakdowns, and legal hurdles slowing the acquisition of new equipment, South Africa’s drivers will have to wait a bit longer for smoother licence processing.

If you’re waiting on your driving licence or interested in transport updates, keep watching this space. Your patience and voice matter—share your experiences and thoughts on how the Department of Transport can better serve the public.

{Source: IOL}

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