Can you ditch the long Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) queues and renew your licence online?
Yes, according to transport minister Fikile Mbalula. Announcing the move to digital licence renewals, the minister stated, “The era of long queues and service centres that close at 15:30, forcing workers to take time off work to access traffic services, will soon become a thing of the past.”
Mbulala asserted that the new system would eliminate incentives for corruption and take advantage of the tech revolution to improve service delivery. Instead of going to a DLTC and standing in endless lines, motorists can access the same services from the comfort of their homes or the convenience of their workplaces.
But are the days of needing to take time off work and packing a good book, snacks, and a neck pillow to renew our licences truly behind us?
Yes: you can renew your licence online, but there's a catch!
You thought you could avoid standing in line by getting your driving license online? Not so fast! While you can book your appointment, pay the fees and even have your shiny new licence delivered right to your doorstep, the DLTC is not letting you off that easily. You still have to visit your local DLTC to have your fingerprints taken and get your eyes checked.
The good news is that your optometrist can give you the eye exam and you can hand in the results with your application form. Just remember, the eye exam is FREE at the DLTC, while your optometrist might charge you an arm and a leg (or at least an eye).
Unfortunately, there’s no obvious way to skip the biometrics line short of maiming oneself. So, while you may be able to ditch the longest queues, you still have to show up at the DLTC and stand in a line or two.
How to renew your driving licence online.
Motorists can book to renew their driving licence cards using the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s National Traffic Information System (NaTIS). To make your booking, click here.
Mzansi drivers are encouraged to renew their driving licence cards four to six weeks before their expiry date. Failure to do so will result in having to apply for a temporary driving licence at an additional cost while you wait for your driving licence to be issued.
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