Inside Politics Reporter
The Department of Transport has advised motorists to continue renewing expired driving licences under the current five-year validity period until legislation extending the renewal period to 10 years comes into effect.
The department’s statement follows Cabinet’s approval earlier this week of a proposal to extend the validity period for Code A, A1, B and EB driving licences from five to 10 years. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa welcomed the decision.
“The 10-year renewal period will apply only to light motor vehicles,” the department said.
“Heavy commercial and public transport vehicles will remain subject to the existing five-year renewal cycle, while Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) will continue to be renewed every two years.”
The department said the decision was informed by a study conducted by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), which found that extending the validity period would align South Africa with international best practice, improve administrative efficiency, reduce the frequency of renewals for motorists and ease pressure on the licensing system.
To implement the change, regulation 108 of the National Road Traffic Regulations must be amended. The proposed amendment to sub-regulation 108(5)(a) provides that driving licence cards for Codes A1, A, B and EB will expire 10 years from the date of issue by the Card Production Facility, while licences for Codes C1, C, EC1 and EC will continue to expire after five years.
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The department said Cabinet’s approval authorises the publication of the draft amendments, which will be submitted to the relevant processes, including the Shareholders Committee, Parliament for public comment and the Office of the State Law Adviser for legal scrutiny before the regulations can take effect.
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