South Africa Driving Licence Rules: There shall be drastic changes in the process of issuing driving licences to South African drivers in the year 2025. According to the Department of Transport, they intend to upgrade and modernize the licensing process. Unfortunately, with many unresolved issues, motorists remain on edge.
The Continued Delays In The Printing Of Driving Licenses
Such an issue is printing new cards. The only license card printing machine in the entire country has gone down again. The backlog was massive. Some places, like Cape Town, did not issue any new driving license in all of 2025. This was actually confirmed by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, pointing out that the machine that got repaired was an old one, and that overseas repairs were needed. So that added to the delay.
The Grace Periods And Temporary Licenses
What the Department of Transport is doing, in effect, is setting the mechanisms for accommodating the worried driver. There exists a grace period of three months during which an expired license remains valid as long as the person carries the expired card and proof that renewal was applied for, in case a person applies for renewal of a license before the current card has expired. If within this period the new license has not arrived, the person may apply for a temporary license that remains valid for 6 months or until the issuance of the new card, whichever comes first. This temporary license costs R45.
Calls For Extended Validity And Digital Licences
For the last few years, they have been campaigning for a move that mandates the validity period of driving licenses to be extended from five to 10 years. This would lessen the administrative burden on the drivers and the government alike. Studies show that several have already undertaken this extension without threatening road safety. Experts like Rob Handfield-Jones recommend moving to digital-only licenses with really no expiry and using biometric data, and VINs to futuristic systems.
This New Printing Machine Is Pretty Soon Coming Into Service
Initially engaging Idemia Identity and Security South Africa, the Department of Transport decided to obtain three new card-printing driver licence machines, ostensibly for the continuation of printing problems. The machines would cost R334 million each. Two of the machines will be used on the main production site, and one will be kept for backup. The service for these machines will be rendered locally to minimize downtime in the future.
What Drivers Should Know
- Renew Early: licence application for renewal should be done at least four weeks before the expiry date to avoid any delays.
- Carry Proof: where the licence is expired, one should always carry the expired card and some proof that the renewal application has been made.
- Temporary Licences: if delays occur after the three-month grace period, a temporary one shall be applied for to remain legal.
- Stay in the know: Follow all updates given by the Department of Transport through the licensing printing’s progress and the outlook for possible system overhaul.
- But as modern as that drive for license might be, present-day issues make not only a compelling urge for a prompt and swift implementation without any loopholes but one that won’t leave drivers hanging.
Also Read: South Africa New Traffic Laws 2025: Major Rule Changes Every Driver Must Follow