Driving Licence Validity Extended to Eight Years Amid Backlogs

South Africa extends driving licence validity from five to eight years to ease backlogs and system strain. Picture Credits: SAPeople

By Aisha Zardad

South Africa – The validity period for South African driving licences is set to increase from five years to eight, a move welcomed by motorists and advocacy groups.

Director-General Mathabatha Mokonyana confirmed the extension last week during a briefing to Parliament’s Select Committee on Public Infrastructure. The decision followed a detailed assessment showing that most South Africans prefer a longer validity period to avoid frequent renewals.

“We have just concluded, although it took some time, the issue around extending the validity period of the driver’s licence card from five to eight years,” Mokonyana said. “They don’t want to come back to us every five years. So we definitely will be moving to eight years soon.”

While the Department of Transport has confirmed the move, spokesperson Collen Msibi noted that a cost-benefit analysis is still pending. Advocacy group OUTA welcomed the decision, saying it will improve efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and alleviate pressure on the government caused by frequent machine breakdowns.

The department’s current licence printing machine, which was due for replacement six to eight years ago, has experienced multiple failures. In early 2025, a breakdown resulted in a backlog of over 700,000 licence cards, now reduced to under 300,000.

However, the extension applies only to ordinary drivers. Commercial drivers will continue to renew their licences every two years for safety reasons, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy explained, as heavy-vehicle and passenger drivers require more frequent checks of vision and other qualifications.

The Department of Transport has also discussed the launch of an electronic licence system, which would allow motorists to store card information on their phones, though no timeline has been confirmed. The department plans to introduce new smart driving licence cards with enhanced security and biometric data, making them harder to counterfeit. The procurement process for these cards has faced scrutiny, with the Auditor-General finding the R828 million tender process awarded to French tech firm IDEMIA “irregular” and flawed.