| License extension welcome – remedial measures necessary – AA |
Interventions announced yesterday by transport minister Fikile Mbalula to deal with problems relating to driving license renewals are welcomed and indicate real progress in resolving challenges faced by motorists throughout the country. The Automobile Association (AA) says the extension of the validity period of all licenses to the end of March 2022 is also a welcome step, but that it remains concerned that the measures may not be implemented in time for those with expired documents to renew them.
Minister Mbalula announced that all licenses – learner’s licenses, driving licenses, professional driving permits and temporary licenses – which expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021 – will be valid until the end of March next year.
The minister noted a lack of capacity at Driving License Testing Centres (DLTCs), corruption, the slow speed and unavailability of the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS), faulty live capture units (for fingerprints and ID verification), and faulty eye testing machines as the main challenges facing the centres in the provision of adequate services.
“We are naturally happy that many of the solutions we have been proposing for some have been considered. Among these is the establishment of more DLTCs, the introduction of mobile centres and kiosks at busy centres, extended operating hours of the DLTCs, the ability of DLTCs to accept online payments, and the submission of eye tests by optometrists directly to NaTIS. This all makes sense and will, hopefully, ease pressure on the system. But now it is all a question of implementation,” notes the AA.
According to Mbalula, there is a backlog of 2.8m licenses which need to be renewed nationally but that only 1.2m renewals have so far been processed. This means that 42% of licenses must still be renewed. This is in addition to the motorists who require renewals which accrue monthly.
“The minister again noted that the problem is not with motorists but with the DLTCs. This is significant as it acknowledges that the system is the problem, not motorists. The interventions he has announced must now be put in motion. Our concern is that the time-frames are tight, and that many motorists may be stranded without the necessary renewals, forcing yet another extension in March,” the Association concludes.