Motorists are required to continue renewing expired driving licence cards in accordance with the current five-year validity period. Image: Supplied.
Cabinet
1Min
South Africa
Cabinet gives green light to 10-year driver's licences!
South African motorists may soon renew their driving licences only once every 10 years after Cabinet approved a proposal to double the validity period for light vehicle licence cards. However, drivers must continue renewing their licences under the current rules until the necessary legal changes are enacted.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to extend the validity period of driving licences for light motor vehicles from five years to 10 years, a move aimed at reducing the administrative burden on motorists and easing pressure on the country's licensing system.
The extended validity period will apply to holders of Codes A, A1, B and EB, which cover motorcycles and light motor vehicles.
Heavy commercial vehicles, public transport vehicles and Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) will not be affected by the changes. These categories will continue to follow the existing renewal cycles of two or five years, while PrDPs will remain subject to renewal every two years.
According to Cabinet, the decision brings South Africa in line with international best practice and is expected to improve the efficiency of the licensing system by reducing the number of renewal applications processed each year.
The government said the measure would also provide relief to motorists by cutting the frequency of licence renewals and easing demand at driving licence testing centres.
However, the new 10-year validity period will not take effect immediately. Cabinet said legislative amendments are required before the changes can be implemented.
Until the amendments have been passed into law, motorists are required to continue renewing expired driving licence cards in accordance with the current five-year validity period.
