I have today written to Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, to request a further extension to the validity period of learners’ licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits.
Minister Mbalula extended Direction 6 of the Transport Directions to 31 March 2022. This grace period covered all documents which expired in the period of 26 March 2020 to 31 August 2021.
I believe that a further extension beyond 31 March 2022 is required.
Given the widespread media reports on the current backlog in the production of driving licence cards, I suggested to Minister Mbalula that an extension should be applied until at least 31 December 2022.
I also asked Minister Mbalula to confirm the veracity of some media reports stating the said backlog to be in the region of 400 000 and the time needed to rectify the situation.
I took cognisance of the letters issued by the Acting Head of the Driving Licence Card Account Entity, Mr Sandiso Thutshini, issued on 25 November 2021 and 09 December 2021 respectively. However, these letters did not provide any specific information around the backlog such as an age analysis and the extent of the backlog as the letters did not provide any definition plan of action to normalise the situation.
The news that the card machine has been repaired and is operating again is positive, but in order to enable my Department to communicate accurate information to its stakeholders, I asked Minister Mbalula to supply the missing information and all the details that will assist this cause as a matter of urgency.
