2026 has been a busy year for South African driving licences already. First there was the on-again, off-again AARTO act featuring driver’s licence penalty points. At the eleventh hour it was pushed back, calling into question whether – like e-tolls – it’s ever going to happen …
Now, the Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy is openly talking about extending South African driving licences from five to eight years. The above is a result of countless delays to new driver’s licence printing machines. And the IT management tender of Digital Licence Card Accounts (DLCAs) that go with them.
EXTENDED SOUTH AFRICAN DRIVING LICENCES
As a result, the Department of Transport says it isn’t rushing the process. Because it fears extending the validity of South African driving licences might have ‘unintended consequences.’ However, the cost of renewing a licence for eight years will almost certainly need to be hiked. Nevertheless, Minister Creecy did confirm that the change would definitely happen, it was only a matter of time.
Likewise, she added that the department must await the outcome of a study on its financial implications. “I do hope that this year the extended South African driving licence is something we can put to bed once and for all. Because once we take the decision, we cannot be in a situation where we say there were unintended consequences,” Creecy confirmed.
THREAT OF REDUCED REVENUE
At the end of the day, the only concern for government on extending South African driving licences is revenue. There is a well-established system in place for producing driving licence cards. And increasing the validity period to eight years would result in reduced revenue for all entities surrounding the cards’ value chain.
Likewise, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi also demonstrated a prototype MyMzansi app late last year at the Global DPI Summit. How long until this is a viable all-in-one alternative to South African driving licences? Creecy explained that integration with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is critical for the future success of the app.
SOUTH AFRICAN DRIVING LICENCES AND ID DOCUMENTS
“Integrating the two documents improves the integrity of both. But what it also does is present us with an opportunity to have to produce only one card. And over time, that one card could become digital,” said Creecy. Furthermore, the minister then opened up the MyMzansi digital wallet on her iPhone.
“You see, it has all the credentials, including name, card number and digital signature. It will include whether you’ve got any traffic fines or not. Within the digital driver’s licence interface is an option to pay fines and renew vehicle and driver’s licences through the app,” explained the minister.
But what do you think? Are you excited to see eight-year South African driving licences, even if it costs more? And what do you think of the all-in-one digital driver’s and ID? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below …
