5 July 2002
The National Department of Transport today called upon all drivers who have not converted old style driver's licence to the new Driving Licence Card to note that the scheduled conversion period based on your birth month draws to a close on August 31, 2002.
The Department has however reserved a six-month conversion period for those who have not yet converted. This six-month period ends on 28 February 2003.
The Department said drivers who do not convert to the new Driving Licence Card before 28 February 2003 will be driving without proof that they have passed thier driver's test and are able to drive on South African roads. However, the driver's licence code remains valid and may still be converted to the new driver's licence code.
The cost of your new Driving Licence Card is determined per Province, and range from R100.00 to R168.00.
The Department added that thy are not in favour of fining drivers for not converting their licenses as the money they pay for those fines can be used for other family needs.
"Our call is for all drivers to covert their licences to avoid fines, we encourage drivers to be responsible and finish the conversion period by end of February 2003"
Drivers would be required to pay an increased application fee if they have not converted within the scheduled conversion period. These fees range from R5 - R10 per month, again, depending on which Province you reside in.
Although more than 5 million drivers have already converted to the new CCF format driving licence it is estimated that more than 2 million old style driving licences must still be converted.
In order to avoid long queues during the conversion process towards the end of the conversion period on 28 February, members of the public are advised to convert old style driving licences as a matter of urgency.
Driving licences can be converted at any Traffic Department in your area, or at any Traffic Department convenient to the driver (i.e. near place of employment).
More than 350 centres are available throughout the nine provinces. Some Traffic Departments even offer the service after hours and on Saturdays.
Issued by
Ndivhuwo Mabaya
Acting HEAD: Media Relations and Corporate Communications