The extension for the renewal of driver’s licences that expired during the hard lockdown in 2020 has passed, leaving at least 1.3 million drivers without a valid licence of which at least 400 000 are in Gauteng.

Gauteng motorists have now the potential to be turned into criminals as they have no other choice but to drive with an expired licence and face a huge fine if they are pulled over by traffic officers.

Despite having extended the operating hours of Driver’s Licence Testing Centres to address this, there were simply not enough slots available to ensure that this huge backlog is addressed.

Furthermore, motorists are also at risk of having their insurance company not pay-out should they be involved in an accident.

The DA is calling on Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, to extend the grace period once again for the renewal of driver’s licences so that all our motorists affected by this are given sufficient time to renew their licences.

 

Issued by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport, Fred Nel MPL