Transport authorities across South Africa are intensifying enforcement against illegal scholar transport operators, with Gauteng launching a province-wide operating licence handover programme ahead of a key 14 August deadline. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has warned that scholar transport operators who have already been approved for operating licences must collect them before the deadline, while operators transporting learners without the required permits risk enforcement action. The renewed compliance drive forms part of broader efforts to improve learner safety, eliminate administrative backlogs and ensure that all scholar transport services operate legally under the National Land Transport Act.
The campaign follows increased inspections by transport authorities across the country, where officials have impounded vehicles operating without valid permits, professional driving permits or roadworthy certificates.
Why Authorities Are Cracking Down on Scholar Transport
Scholar transport has come under increased scrutiny following several serious crashes involving learners in recent years and growing concerns about illegal operators transporting children in unsafe vehicles.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, inspections conducted during nationwide operations uncovered vehicles operating without public transport operating licences, drivers without Professional Driving Permits, overloaded vehicles and vehicles that were not roadworthy.
Authorities have also identified the illegal use of bakkies and light delivery vehicles to transport learners as a continuing concern.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport said the current operating licence handover programme forms part of ongoing efforts to improve regulation of the public transport sector while ensuring school transport operators comply with national legislation.
What Is Happening in Gauteng?
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is hosting Special Operating Licence Handover Ceremonies between 12 and 14 August 2026 to allow compliant operators to collect approved operating licences before the collection deadline.
According to the department, the programme is aimed at operators whose applications have already been approved.
The department has warned operators not to miss the collection deadline, as uncollected licences may be subject to cancellation or further administrative processes.
Officials said more than 3 000 operating licences have already been handed to compliant minibus taxi and scholar transport operators since November 2025.
Operating Licence Handover Venues
The department has scheduled regional handover ceremonies across Gauteng.
Johannesburg and Sedibeng
- Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
- Time: 10am
- Venue: 45 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg
Tshwane
- Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
- Time: 2pm
- Venue: 230 Lilian Ngoyi Street, Pretoria Central
Ekurhuleni
- Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026
- Time: 11am
- Venue: 1 Hughard Street, Germiston
West Rand
- Date: Friday, 14 August 2026
- Time: 10am
- Venue: Corner Kagiso Drive and Moses Street, Krugersdorp
Who Needs an Operating Licence?
Any person transporting learners for reward must hold a valid public transport operating licence.
According to the department, operators may not legally transport learners using only association membership discs, temporary stickers or expired permits.
The official operating licence issued by the Provincial Regulatory Entity remains the legal document authorising scholar transport services.
Documents Required to Apply for a Scholar Transport Operating Licence
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport requires applicants to submit a complete application to a Transport Operating Licence Administrative Body office.
Applicants must provide:
- A completed application form.
- Certified copy of a South African identity document.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Valid Professional Driving Permit.
- Police clearance certificate.
- Certified vehicle registration certificate.
- Valid roadworthy certificate.
- SARS Tax Compliance Status.
- Proof of residential or business address.
- Recommendation letter from the school principal or School Governing Body.
- List of learners and parent or guardian contact details.
- Route description showing collection and drop off points.
- Proof of passenger liability insurance.
- Company registration documents where applicable.
- The prescribed application fee of approximately R600.
According to the department, incomplete applications remain the biggest cause of processing delays.
Vehicle and Driver Requirements
Authorities have reminded operators that compliance extends beyond obtaining an operating licence.
Drivers must:
- Hold a valid driver’s licence.
- Hold a valid Professional Driving Permit.
- Drive only roadworthy vehicles.
- Comply with passenger limits.
- Follow approved scholar transport routes.
Vehicles used for scholar transport must:
- Display a valid operating licence.
- Have a valid roadworthy certificate.
- Be mechanically sound.
- Have functioning brakes and tyres.
- Not be overloaded.
Authorities also continue to prohibit the use of bakkies and light delivery vehicles for transporting learners.
What Parents Should Check Before Hiring Scholar Transport
Parents also have a role in ensuring children travel safely.
Before making use of a scholar transport operator, parents should confirm that:
- The vehicle displays a valid operating licence.
- The driver has a valid Professional Driving Permit.
- The vehicle appears roadworthy.
- Seatbelts are available where required.
- The operator is recognised by the school.
Parents are encouraged to report unsafe scholar transport or reckless driving to the Gauteng Traffic Inspectorate.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For scholar transport operators, the immediate priority is collecting approved operating licences before 14 August 2026 if notified by the department.
Operators who have not yet applied are encouraged to submit complete applications as soon as possible through their nearest TOLAB office.
For parents, the latest enforcement campaign serves as a reminder to verify that the person transporting their children is operating legally and safely.
The department says formalising scholar transport will improve accountability while helping protect learners travelling to and from school across Gauteng.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must collect operating licences before 14 August?
Only scholar transport and public transport operators whose operating licences have already been approved and are awaiting collection.
Can I transport learners without an operating licence?
No. According to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, transporting learners for reward without a valid operating licence is illegal.
Where do I apply for a scholar transport operating licence?
Applications can be submitted at Transport Operating Licence Administrative Body offices across Gauteng.
What documents are required?
Applicants must provide identification documents, a valid driver’s licence, Professional Driving Permit, roadworthy certificate, vehicle registration documents, school recommendation, proof of address, tax compliance documents and other supporting information required by the department.
Can authorities impound my vehicle?
Yes. Authorities have warned that vehicles operating illegally, without the required permits or in an unroadworthy condition may be removed from service during enforcement operations.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport says the operating licence handover programme forms part of broader efforts to improve scholar transport safety while ensuring operators comply with national transport legislation. With enforcement increasing across South Africa, both operators and parents are being urged to ensure learner transport services meet all legal and safety requirements before the new school term continues.
