OUTA Calls for South African Driver’s Licences to Be Valid for 10 Years to Improve Efficiency
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has called on the South African government to extend the validity period of driver’s licences from the current five years to ten years. This proposal aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve efficiency at licensing centres. Additionally, it seeks to ease the long queues that frustrate millions of drivers nationwide.
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Current Challenges with Driver’s Licence Renewals
South Africa’s driver’s licence renewal process has long been plagued by inefficiencies. Licensing centres are often overcrowded, with long waiting times and delays in processing renewals. These issues are worsened by limited staffing and resource constraints within the Department of Transport and associated agencies.
Currently, drivers must renew their licences every five years, requiring millions to visit licensing centres frequently. This contributes to congestion and increases administrative costs for both government and licence holders.
Government Plans and OUTA’s Proposal
The Department of Transport has recognised these challenges and, as part of its 2025/26 annual performance plan, aims to extend the validity of driving licence cards from five to eight years. This plan includes consultations with transport officials and public stakeholders. They aim to submit the proposal to Parliament for approval by the end of 2025.
OUTA, however, advocates for a 10-year validity period, arguing that this would further reduce renewal volumes and ease pressure on licensing centres. The organisation stresses that longer validity aligns with improving service delivery efficiency. They also argue it reduces costs.
Benefits of Extending Licence Validity
- Reduced Administrative Burden: Fewer renewals mean less paperwork and shorter processing times at licensing centres.
- Improved Customer Experience: Drivers would spend less time queuing and more time on the road.
- Cost Savings: Both government and drivers could save money on renewal fees and administrative expenses.
- Focus on Road Safety: Licensing authorities could allocate more resources toward driver education and enforcement.
Important Considerations
While OUTA supports extending validity, it emphasises that road safety must not be compromised. Medical assessments and vision tests should remain mandatory. This is especially important for older drivers or those with medical conditions affecting driving ability. The Department of Transport’s current renewal process already requires eye testing and fingerprinting. It also offers the option for drivers to submit optometrist reports.
Additionally, OUTA encourages the implementation of digital renewal systems. These would complement longer validity periods, making licence management more convenient and secure for drivers.
Recent Reforms and Digital Transformation
In April 2025, South Africa introduced reforms to modernise the driver’s licence system. These include longer licence validity periods. They range from eight to ten years depending on the licence type. Additionally, the rollout of digital driving licences is accessible via smartphone apps. These changes aim to streamline the renewal process, reduce queues, and improve security.
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Public and Government Engagement
As of July 2025, the Department of Transport has not formally responded to OUTA’s 10-year validity proposal. However, it is progressing with the plan to extend validity to eight years. Public consultations and stakeholder engagements are ongoing. Parliament is expected to review the proposal by the end of the year.
Motoring organisations and transport advocates are encouraged to participate in these discussions. This ensures that efficiency gains do not come at the expense of road safety.
Smooth Operations
OUTA’s call for a 10-year validity period for South African driver’s licences offers a practical solution to longstanding administrative challenges. Extending licence validity would reduce renewal frequency and ease congestion at licensing centres. Additionally, it would save costs. Careful implementation, combined with mandatory health assessments and digital renewal options, will be crucial. This will maintain road safety and improve the driver experience.