Cabinet approves 10-year driving licences for South African motorists – but there’s a catch

Driving Licence card

Cape Town – Cabinet has approved a proposal to extend the validity period of driving licences for motorcycles and light motor vehicles from five years to 10 years, subject to the necessary changes in legislation.

The announcement was made on Thursday by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during her weekly post-Cabinet media briefing.

Ntshavheni said the extended renewal period will apply to driving licence codes A, A1, B and EB, which cover motorcycles and light motor vehicles.

“Cabinet approved the extension of the validity period of driving licences for codes A, A1, B and EB from five years to ten years. The ten-year renewal period will apply only to light motor vehicles,” she said.

She added that the renewal requirements for heavy commercial vehicles, public transport vehicles and professional driving permits (PrDPs) will remain unchanged.

“Heavy commercial and public transport vehicles will remain subject to existing two- or five-year renewal cycles, while professional drivers’ permits will also remain on the two-year renewal cycle,” she noted.

According to Ntshavheni, the decision brings South Africa in line with international best practice while reducing the administrative burden on motorists and easing pressure on the country’s licensing system.

“The change aligns with international best practice, enhances administrative efficiencies, reduces the frequency of renewals for motorists, and eases service demand pressures within the licensing system,” she said.

However, the changes will not take effect immediately. Ntshavheni explained that the extended validity period still requires legislative amendments before it can be implemented.

Until the new law comes into force, motorists are required to continue renewing their driving licence cards in line with the current five-year validity period.

“The implementation of the extended validity period requires legislative amendments, so motorists must therefore continue to renew expired driving licence cards until the new law takes effect,” she said.

Picture: X/@TrafficRTMC

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

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