New hope for motorists over 10-year driving licence card prices

Cape Town – Motorists could face higher upfront fees for driving licence cards as the government considers extending their validity from five to 10 years, although the proposed changes could still reduce renewal costs over the longer term.

According to MyBroadband, Transport Department director John Motsatsing told Parliament that officials were considering increasing card production fees to compensate for revenue losses resulting from less frequent renewals.

Motsatsing indicated that the department was exploring pricing options that would account for the extended validity period without necessarily doubling the cost for motorists. Current renewal fees range from approximately R216 to R250, depending on the licensing office.

In a separate report, Jacaranda FM reported that the department was considering an additional R92 production fee as part of the proposed changes. The longer renewal cycle could help offset the financial impact by reducing how often motorists need to renew their cards.

Proposed licence changes

The proposal follows Cabinet’s approval in July 2026 to extend the validity of selected driving licence cards from five to 10 years. The South African Government confirmed that the extension would apply to licence codes A, A1, B and EB, covering motorcycles and light motor vehicles.

However, the changes have not yet taken effect, as the necessary regulatory amendments must still be finalised. Heavy vehicle licence cards will retain their five-year validity, while professional driving permits will remain valid for two years.

The proposed extension is intended to reduce renewal demand, ease administrative pressure and address persistent delays in card production. These challenges have been compounded by recurring breakdowns at the country’s driving licence card printing facility, according to Parliament.

Concerns over higher fees

The possibility of increased charges has drawn scrutiny from the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), which argues that motorists should not automatically pay more simply because their licence cards will remain valid for longer.

“Government is not a profit centre,” OUTA executive director Stefanie Fick said, according to MyBroadband’s earlier report.

Fick argued that the Driving Licence Card Account should charge a cost-reflective fee that covers the efficient production and distribution of cards.

While the proposed extension could reduce the frequency of renewals and provide longer-term savings, the final fee structure has yet to be confirmed.

Motorists must continue renewing their driving licence cards under the existing rules until the regulatory amendments are officially implemented. The implementation date and final charges have not yet been announced.