Date: 28/02/2003
Source: Department of Transport
Title: Radebe: Deadline for conversion to card-format driving license extended
STATEMENT BY MINISTER, JEFF RADEBE ON THE EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE FOR THE CONVERSION OF DRIVERS' LICENSES TO CREDIT CARD FORMAT
Background
The new credit card format (CCF) driving licence was introduced on 1 March 1998. A period was determined by Notice in the Government Gazette for each person based on the birth month of the person concerned, during which he/she should apply for the conversion on his/her driving licence to the new CCF driving licence card (DLC). The last period ended on 31 August 2002.
The Department mailed personalised notices to all holders of driving licences included into identity documents, the details of which were received from the Department of Home Affairs. Approximately 5,0 million notices were send out at a cost of approximately R6,5 million. Holders of driving licences that are not included into identity documents did not receive notices (i.e. former TBVC states and SGT driving licences).
The provinces that mail motor vehicle licence renewal notices (i.e. Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Northern Cape and North West) did print notices on the motor vehicle licence renewals to inform owners of vehicles that driving licences must be converted. Many articles and notices also appeared in newspapers, radio, television and billboards. It can be stated that the national Department as well as the provincial departments of Transport did over a period of more than five years (publicity started before the introduction of the CCF DLC on 1 March 1998) more than what is required to inform the public that they must convert their driving licences.
In spite of all the efforts of the Department, there are still persons whose driving licences are included into identity documents that have not yet converted to the new CCF DLC. Nonetheless, statistical data as of today indicates that 79% of drivers have converted before the said deadline. We will like to commend those who have aligned themselves with the call to convert.
The CCF DLC as published in the Road Traffic Regulations, is a valid proof of a driving licence during the validity period thereof. A CCF DLC is valid for 5 years.
Information I have gathered from NATIS regarding the status of conversions in the provinces indicate that a significant number (1,198,209) of drivers have not yet converted to CCF drivers' licence. The breakdown of outstanding drivers that have not yet converted, as of 09:00 on the 28th of February 2003, is as follows:
Driving licences not converted
Eastern Cape: 64 523
Free State: 66 211
Gauteng: 534 658
KwaZulu-Natal: 186 892
Mpumalanga: 68 473
North West: 33 275
Northern Cape: 19 357
Northern Province: 51 423
Western Cape: 173 397
Total: 1 198 209
This morning, I took the time to personally inspect a few driving licence testing centres (DLTCs), and it is evident that even with the best of intentions from out own, already overstretched officials at these centres, it will not be possible to clear the backlog suggested by the long queues by 12:00 midnight.
In addition, after consulting the MECs in the provinces, which still have large numbers of outstanding conversions (as indicated in the table above), we have reached a substantial consensus on the need to extend the deadline by a reasonable period to enable the outstanding numbers to be processed.
It is my considered opinion and decision that the deadline be extended for two months (March and April) with effect from the 1st of March 2003. Partly, this decision has been informed by tentative indications that we might slide into a situation of public disorder. The consequence of this decision is that the notice issued on the 23 January 2003, setting out the deadline is accordingly withdrawn.
Looking at the figures relating to the state of conversions over the last six weeks, it would seem that an average of 60,000 conversions can be handled by our existing facilities and infrastructure. This would mean that over the next eight weeks, we can handle an additional number of 480,000 people, leaving a shortfall of +/- 520,000 people unless additional resources and special facilities are put in place over the next two weeks. The situation as outlined above suggest that we need to introduce six additional facilities in the following major centres: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban Pietermaritzburg and Port Elizabeth to cope with all the outstanding numbers within the prescribed extension period.
Evidence has shown that citizens wait until the last moment before they comply with the legislation. Nonetheless, this extension should in no way call for a laissez-faire attitude amongst those who have not converted their licenses by the end of today. Government will continue to be vigilant in ensuring compliance with legislation and employ punitive measures where such compliance is lacking.
Thank you.
Mr Jeff Radebe
Acting Minister of Transport
Issued by the Department of Transport, 28 February 2003
Source: Department of Transport
Title: Radebe: Deadline for conversion to card-format driving license extended
STATEMENT BY MINISTER, JEFF RADEBE ON THE EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE FOR THE CONVERSION OF DRIVERS' LICENSES TO CREDIT CARD FORMAT
Background
The new credit card format (CCF) driving licence was introduced on 1 March 1998. A period was determined by Notice in the Government Gazette for each person based on the birth month of the person concerned, during which he/she should apply for the conversion on his/her driving licence to the new CCF driving licence card (DLC). The last period ended on 31 August 2002.
The Department mailed personalised notices to all holders of driving licences included into identity documents, the details of which were received from the Department of Home Affairs. Approximately 5,0 million notices were send out at a cost of approximately R6,5 million. Holders of driving licences that are not included into identity documents did not receive notices (i.e. former TBVC states and SGT driving licences).
The provinces that mail motor vehicle licence renewal notices (i.e. Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Northern Cape and North West) did print notices on the motor vehicle licence renewals to inform owners of vehicles that driving licences must be converted. Many articles and notices also appeared in newspapers, radio, television and billboards. It can be stated that the national Department as well as the provincial departments of Transport did over a period of more than five years (publicity started before the introduction of the CCF DLC on 1 March 1998) more than what is required to inform the public that they must convert their driving licences.
In spite of all the efforts of the Department, there are still persons whose driving licences are included into identity documents that have not yet converted to the new CCF DLC. Nonetheless, statistical data as of today indicates that 79% of drivers have converted before the said deadline. We will like to commend those who have aligned themselves with the call to convert.
The CCF DLC as published in the Road Traffic Regulations, is a valid proof of a driving licence during the validity period thereof. A CCF DLC is valid for 5 years.
Information I have gathered from NATIS regarding the status of conversions in the provinces indicate that a significant number (1,198,209) of drivers have not yet converted to CCF drivers' licence. The breakdown of outstanding drivers that have not yet converted, as of 09:00 on the 28th of February 2003, is as follows:
Driving licences not converted
Eastern Cape: 64 523
Free State: 66 211
Gauteng: 534 658
KwaZulu-Natal: 186 892
Mpumalanga: 68 473
North West: 33 275
Northern Cape: 19 357
Northern Province: 51 423
Western Cape: 173 397
Total: 1 198 209
This morning, I took the time to personally inspect a few driving licence testing centres (DLTCs), and it is evident that even with the best of intentions from out own, already overstretched officials at these centres, it will not be possible to clear the backlog suggested by the long queues by 12:00 midnight.
In addition, after consulting the MECs in the provinces, which still have large numbers of outstanding conversions (as indicated in the table above), we have reached a substantial consensus on the need to extend the deadline by a reasonable period to enable the outstanding numbers to be processed.
It is my considered opinion and decision that the deadline be extended for two months (March and April) with effect from the 1st of March 2003. Partly, this decision has been informed by tentative indications that we might slide into a situation of public disorder. The consequence of this decision is that the notice issued on the 23 January 2003, setting out the deadline is accordingly withdrawn.
Looking at the figures relating to the state of conversions over the last six weeks, it would seem that an average of 60,000 conversions can be handled by our existing facilities and infrastructure. This would mean that over the next eight weeks, we can handle an additional number of 480,000 people, leaving a shortfall of +/- 520,000 people unless additional resources and special facilities are put in place over the next two weeks. The situation as outlined above suggest that we need to introduce six additional facilities in the following major centres: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban Pietermaritzburg and Port Elizabeth to cope with all the outstanding numbers within the prescribed extension period.
Evidence has shown that citizens wait until the last moment before they comply with the legislation. Nonetheless, this extension should in no way call for a laissez-faire attitude amongst those who have not converted their licenses by the end of today. Government will continue to be vigilant in ensuring compliance with legislation and employ punitive measures where such compliance is lacking.
Thank you.
Mr Jeff Radebe
Acting Minister of Transport
Issued by the Department of Transport, 28 February 2003
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