South Africa edges closer to 10-year driving licence cards as overhaul moves to Cabinet

South Africa has moved closer to introducing 10-year driving licence cards after the Department of Transport presented a proposed overhaul to Parliament and completed public consultation on the changes.

Where the reform stands

The Department of Transport published the proposed changes for public comment on 17 August, and the comment period closed in September. The department is considering the comments received before the regulations are sent back to Cabinet for approval.

What the proposal would change

Under the proposal, licence cards for codes A, A1, B and EB would be valid for 10 years from the date they are ordered from the Card Production Facility. Cards for C1, C, EC1 and EC would remain valid for five years, while Professional Driving Permits would continue to have a two-year validity period.

Implementation steps

Once Cabinet approval is secured, the Minister will publish the amended provisions in the National Road Traffic Regulations before the new validity periods can take effect.

Administrative and financial effects

The department said the reform is intended to reduce the administrative burden created by repeated licence-card renewals and help relieve pressure on the renewal system. It also noted that extending card validity will have a direct financial impact: the Card Production Facility is expected to lose revenue as motorists renew less frequently.

To address those costs, the Minister has commissioned the Card Production Facility to develop a new pricing model.

Checks and the physical card

The department emphasised that motorists are not being given an indefinite licence to drive: the driving licence itself remains permanent, while the physical licence card has a limited validity period.

Under the existing system, renewing the card provides an opportunity to check whether a driver remains qualified to drive. That process includes an eye test when a driver applies for a new card, and applicants must declare that they are not disqualified from holding a driving licence.

Other changes

The department said the existing laminated paper driving licence card will eventually be replaced.