By: Saneliso Mlambo
South Africa’s Cabinet has approved extending the validity period of certain driver’s licences from five years to 10 years. Cabinet Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the decision during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing.
The approval forms part of amendments to the National Road Traffic Act aimed at modernising the country’s licensing system and reducing the burden on motorists. The extension will apply to light motor vehicle and motorcycle licence codes A, A1, B and EB. Heavy vehicle licences and Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) are excluded and will continue under the existing renewal requirements.
Government said the longer validity period is expected to reduce the number of licence renewals, ease pressure on licensing centres and lower administrative costs. The change also brings South Africa closer to the renewal periods used in several other countries.
The approval does not mean the new validity period takes effect immediately. The amendments must still complete the required legislative and regulatory processes before they are implemented, and government will announce the commencement date once those processes are finalised.
Motorists should continue renewing their driver’s licences under the current five-year system until the new regulations come into force. Government is also continuing work to introduce a new driver’s licence card as part of broader reforms to improve the country’s licensing system.