Licence renewal

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula says that government is in the process of extending the driving licence lifespan. Image: GCIS Vuk’uzenzele

5-year driving licence renewal period to be extended – Fikile Mbalula

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula says that government is in the process of extending the driving licence lifespan.

Licence renewal

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula says that government is in the process of extending the driving licence lifespan. Image: GCIS Vuk’uzenzele

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula says that government is in the process of extending the driving licence lifespan as well as procuring a new machine to print smart driving licence cards.

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Speaking to ENCA on Wednesday, Mblaula said his department is approaching cabinet with the proposal of an 8-year renewal period for driver’s licences in Mzansi.

“We are changing the lifespan of the driver’s licence – it will be eight years,” he said.

“We are going to cabinet with that. There is a lot we are doing.”

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According to BusinessTech, this follows civil society groups such as the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) as well as the Automobile Association (AA) calling for licences only be required to be renewed every 10 years – not the current five.

Driving licence validity ranges from 3-20 years around the world

Data provided by Outa shows that across the world, the average period of licence validity was 8.5 years, ranging from three to 20 years.

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Africa and the Americas had the lowest periods at five and six years, respectively, while the Middle East/Asia, Australasia and Europe had the highest at 8.6 years, 10 years and 11.5 years, respectively.

Civil society organisations have argued that there are no negative safety implications extending from a validity period that is above five years.

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