Instead of queuing at driving licence testing centres, motorists in South Africa can now book motor vehicle licences and driving licences online (DLTCs).
The department of transport has launched a slew of online services on the RTMC’s https://online.natis.gov.za online platform, which was initially available in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape before being rolled out nationally.
Among the services are:
The online application, issuance, and delivery of a motor vehicle licence and disc to the vehicle’s owner.
For financial institutions, large fleet operators, and motor dealers, the online application, issuance, and delivery of a registration certificate of a motor vehicle to the title holder of the motor vehicle.
The online application and payment for a booking for a driving licence card renewal in person at a driving licence testing centre.
The online application and payment for the delivery of such a driving licence card to the holder concerned.
An electronic copy of an accident report is provided.
The current title holder or owner will be notified online of a change in ownership of a motor vehicle later.
The driving licence card or vehicle licence disc will be delivered to your door for a R99 fee.
You must still visit a DLTC to have your fingerprints taken and your eye test performed, though the transportation department intends to introduce online eye-testing, in which the eye test result will be automatically uploaded and linked to the user application.
While online services do not eliminate the need for queuing, they have been implemented to improve service delivery and reduce the number of times a motorist must visit a DLTC, according to transport minister Fikile Mbalula.
“Motorists will be able to access most of the services they previously had to travel and queue for at a DLTC from the comfort of their homes and offices.” “Once the full suite of online services is implemented, the ultimate goal is to eliminate queues,” he said.
These measures represent a departure from the sluggish customer service, long lines, and corruption that South Africans have come to associate with traffic-related services, he added.
“The online system has also been enhanced to allow financial institutions, insurance companies, and vehicle dealerships to directly register vehicles on the NaTIS system,” he said. “This will improve convenience and aid in combating rampant crime associated with vehicle ownership changes.” The advantage of these services is that motorists and private businesses will be able to transact directly on the NaTIS, eliminating the need for middlemen who fuel corruption.”
Online vehicle licence renewals will allow the 2.4 million motorists who renew their vehicle licence discs each year to avoid queues, fines, and penalties for late renewal.
Due to the closure of DLTCs due to Covid-19, faulty equipment and systems, and corruption in which officials sold online block bookings for bribes, there is a massive backlog in the renewal of expired driving licences. The backlog was exacerbated by the recent breakdown of the only machine capable of printing driver’s licences, which is now operational again after being sent overseas for repairs.
What do you need to get a South African driver’s licence?
your learner’s permit
your identification document (ID).
four black-and-white photographs that are identical…
Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill…
If you live in an informal settlement, you must bring a letter from your ward councillor with an official date stamp confirming your residential address.
In South Africa, how long does it take to obtain a driver’s licence?
You must continue to use this temporary licence until you receive your official one, which usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. When your driver’s licence card is ready for pickup, you will be notified. You must pick up your driver’s licence from the DLTC where you applied. A driver’s licence is good for five years.
