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Confusion Reigns Over South Africa’s Free Temporary Driving Licence Fee Waiver
Confusion Reigns Over South Africa’s Free Temporary Driving Licence Fee Waiver
South African motorists hoping for a free temporary driving licence may need to slow down literally. Despite repeated assurances from the Department of Transport that the R72 fee would be waived, many drivers are discovering they still have to pay, sparking frustration, confusion, and even talk of legal action.
Government Promises vs. Reality
In June 2025, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced in Parliament that temporary driving licence fees would be scrapped amid a massive backlog caused by the breakdown of South Africa’s only licence card printer. The printer, out of service from 5 February to 8 May, left nearly 760,000 motorists waiting for new cards.
The Department later clarified that the fee waiver officially took effect on 23 July, applying only to motorists who met three strict conditions:
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Their licence expired during the printer breakdown (5 February – 8 May 2025).
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They applied for a temporary licence within three months of expiry.
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They applied after the fee exemption came into effect on 23 July 2025.
Motorists outside these conditions, however, are still being charged the standard R72, leaving many feeling misled.
AfriForum Pushes Back
Civil action group AfriForum has voiced frustration over the ongoing inconsistency. Contacting the RTMC’s national office, AfriForum confirmed that drivers renewing expired licences must still pay for temporary licences. Two Gauteng renewal centres corroborated this, despite Creecy’s repeated statements in Parliament.
“The Minister has promised several times that the fee would be scrapped, yet people are still being charged,” said AfriForum spokesperson. The organisation is now considering legal action to force the Department to honour the waiver fully.
How Temporary Licences Actually Work
Temporary licences serve a critical function. If your new licence card takes longer than three months to issue after your old one expires, a temporary licence valid for six months or until the new card arrives is required. These licences are also accepted by airlines as proof of identity, provided you have the receipt showing that you applied for a new card.
Expired licences are valid for up to three months after expiry, as long as the renewal application was submitted before the card expired.
Backlogs, Machines, and Governance
Experts warn the underlying issue isn’t just the fee it’s a broken system. The Department’s sole licence printer remains problematic, and until it is replaced with reliable, modern equipment, backlogs will persist.
“Until new functional licence card printers are purchased, the crisis continues,” AfriForum said. For many, this means navigating a confusing system, paying fees they thought were waived, and relying on temporary or expired licences for essential identification.
What Drivers Need to Know
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If your licence expired during the breakdown and you applied within the qualifying period, you do not pay for your temporary licence.
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If you fall outside these conditions, you must pay R72.
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Temporary licences remain valid for identification, including air travel, if accompanied by a receipt of renewal application.
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Keep your documents safe, airlines and authorities will require proof of your renewal application.
Social Media Reaction
Drivers across social media have expressed frustration, sharing anecdotes of being charged fees they were told would be waived. Many are calling for clearer communication and faster system upgrades, pointing to the backlog as symptomatic of broader inefficiencies in South Africa’s transport administration.
The promise of free temporary driving licences in South Africa is real, but only for a narrow slice of motorists. For the majority, the R72 fee remains in place, underscoring the ongoing operational challenges within the RTMC and Department of Transport. Motorists are advised to double-check eligibility and keep documentation handy to avoid unnecessary payments.
{Source: My Broad Band}
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