Motorists with lockdown-expired driving licences will only have until the end of March 2022 to renew their documents.
In August last year, the renewal period was extended once again when Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced driving licences that expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021 would be valid until 31 March 2022.
While your driving licence never expires, your card does every five years, and we are required by law always to have this in possession when driving.
So what do you need to renew your driving licence card at a Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC)?
- You will need your Identity document (ID), your current driving licence card (even if it is expired) or a valid South African passport.
- Two black-and-white ID photographs, or (three photos if you need a temporary licence).
- Proof of residential address, e.g. a utility account, cell phone bill, or clothing store account. – If the utility bill is not in your name (under 18 years of age, or living with parents), the owner of the bill or invoice must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address, and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- If you live in an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address.
- Application fees – please note driving licence renewal fees vary across the country. In the Western Cape, you’ll pay R140 for a driving licence renewal, plus an additional R40 for a temporary licence if your card is already expired. Read more about driving licence fees here.
- You’ll also need to fill in the green application for a driving licence renewal form (DL1) available at driving licence testing centres on the day.
If you reside in Gauteng or parts of the Eastern Cape Metropolitans where this is applicable, unfortunately, you’ll need to use the online licence booking system known as NaTis. There is now an online booking fee of R250, plus an additional fee of R22, which goes to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
How long will a licence card take to be renewed:
The RTMC and the Department of Transport claim the licence card renewal process can take from four to six weeks. However, due to the recent backlog, expect this timeframe to be longer. Many readers have reported they have waited as long as three and even six months to receive their new card.
How long should I wait before renewing my driving licence card before it expires?
Apply for your driving licence card renewal anywhere from two to three months before it expires if you want to avoid paying for a temporary licence too.
Source: Janine Van Der Post (www.wheels24.co.za)