FATE of 8-year driver’s licences in SA decided soon

The fate of proposed 8-year driver’s licences in SA is nearing decision time. Following decades of card-printing breakdowns and endless backlogs, the time is finally here. However, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy (ANC), still wishes to “not rush the decision for fear of unintended consequences.”

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Nevertheless, a decision is slated to be made on or before the end of the month, Tuesday 31 March 2026. According to its own self-imposed target, the transport department will make a submission/advisement to Parliament accordingly.

8-YEAR DRIVER’S LICENCES IN SA

Former Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga never entertained 8-year licence validity, despite several independent reports showing its promise. Image: File

However, the Department of Transport isn’t exactly revered for sticking to its deadlines. The implementation of the complicated and costly AARTO Act traffic regulations, for example, has been in limbo for more than a decade. But civil-society groups like AfriForum are adamant that the minister must rubberstamp the extension.

AfriForum Campaign officer Louis Boshoff recently wrote to the minister urging her to implement the extension at the end of the month. “The least the department can do is stick to their planning, even though the driving licence card backlog appears to be largely addressed for now,” he said.

HOW MUCH COULD 8-YEAR LICENCES COST?

Of course, if approved, the next question for 8-year driver’s licences in SA turns to cost. Because renewing a licence for that long will certainly need to be increased. “Once driver’s licences are made valid for eight years, there will be a period of reduced demand. This will impact revenue but also give us time for equipment and system’ upgrades,” said Minster Creecy.

Counterarguments to 8-year driver’s licences in SA are that the current laminated cards themselves are not durable enough to last longer than 5 years. However, an independent report from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to the department in 2022 recommended the extension. It said that South Africa had one of the shortest validity periods. And that most developed countries with good road safety records had an average validity period of 10 years.

FATE OF 8-YEAR DRIVER’S LICENCES IN SA

Longer validity runs the risk of reduced revenue. That’s the major factor that’s halted its approval previously. Image: File

Moreover, some of the other reasons 8-year driver’s licences in SA were blocked before have been challenged publicly. For example, eye tests. Consultants say the department’s test is insufficient to confirm if a person’s eyesight was good or bad anyway.

If road safety is the real concern, only a professional optometrist’s eye tests every few years would be sufficient for proving fitness to drive. Plus, planned polycarbonate cards associated with a new printing process will be strong enough to last 10 years or more.

But what do you think? Should 8-year driver’s licences in SA go ahead? And if so, how much do you think they’ll cost? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below …  

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