South Africa's licence card printer is finally back
The only driving licence card printing machine is finally up and running again after a three-month breakdown, the Department of Transport confirmed on Thursday, 8 May.
The outage, which began on 5 February, created a crippling backlog of over 747,700 unprinted driving licence cards, leaving hundreds of thousands of South African drivers stuck in limbo.
In a bid to tackle the backlog, the Department of Transport announced extended operating hours at the Driving Licence Card Agency (DLCA). Officials aim to fast-track production and reduce the overwhelming number of pending cards.
'With the current catch-up plan, updates on the backlog reduction will be provided as and when significant progress is made,' the department stated.
However, they cautioned that daily incoming orders continue to slow progress, and delays will persist in areas with the highest backlog volumes.
South Africa relies on a single licence card printing machine—a 26-year-old relic that has broken down more than 160 times. As expected, these breakdowns have become more frequent, causing major disruptions nationwide.
Despite attempts to introduce new, secure smart cards and modern printers through a national upgrade initiative, bureaucratic delays and tender issues have brought the project to a halt.
If you're waiting for a licence card, brace yourself—some provinces are bearing the brunt of the backlog:
Gauteng: 252,745 cards
KwaZulu-Natal: 115,020 cards
Western Cape: 108,402 cards
Mpumalanga: 66,833 cards
Limpopo: 61,769 cards
Eastern Cape: 55,393 cards
North West: 39,983 cards
Free State: 33,741 cards
Northern Cape: 13,862 cards
These numbers highlight the scale of the crisis and underline the urgency for a complete overhaul of South Africa's licence printing infrastructure.
While the government works to clear the backlog, South Africans are urged to apply for temporary driving licences. These will remain valid while permanent cards are being processed.
The wait might be long, but there's hope on the horizon. Still, without new equipment and faster processes, South Africans could face similar chaos again.
Stay tuned with The South African as South Africa's licence card printer is finally back.
What else would you like to know about the Licence card machine?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘The Rhino' at Rhino Week
ARMSCOR developed the Rhino Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle in the early 1980s following a private needs assessment, shortly after the conclusion of Project Sireb, which evaluated the feasibility of replacing the Buffel MRAP. Only twenty Rhino vehicles were manufactured for the South African Air Force. Based on the Samil 20 chassis, the Rhino was designed specifically for troop transport and patrol duties around air force bases. It has a crew of seven consisting of a driver, co-driver in the front, and five troops in the rear compartment. The vehicle features a fully enclosed V-shaped hull, offering excellent protection against landmines, while its armoured hull and ballistic glass windows provide effective defence against small arms fire and light artillery fragments. Key features include two roof hatches, firing ports beneath each window in the troop compartment, and provision for mounting a roof-mounted machine gun. The driver's cabin is accessible via side doors on both sides, reached by a short ladder, while the troop compartment is entered through a small door at the rear left of the vehicle. A spare wheel is mounted at the rear. Although originally intended for military use, the Rhino went on to prove its worth in a range of international humanitarian demining operations. It consistently demonstrated its reliability and adaptability as a platform in both conflict zones and peacetime missions. With the adoption of the Mamba MRAP family by the South African military in the early 1990s, the Rhino was gradually withdrawn from service and subsequently sold to the private security sector. The Rhino stands as a testament to South African engineering excellence and tactical innovation. * Dewald Venter is a professor at the Vaal University of Technology. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
EXCLUSIVE: Durban City FC chairperson Farook Kadodia looking to revive Indian community interest in PSL football
Gavin Hunt and Farook Kadodia Gavin Hunt and Farook Kadodia accept a small fleet of BMW's as part of their partnership with the car brand. DURBAN City FC chairperson Farook Kadodia is looking to revive the interest of the Indian community in South African football with his newly-promoted Betway Premiership side. Speaking exclusively to Independent Newspapers at the announcement of their sponsorship from the BMW Durban South on Tuesday, Kadodia insisted that although this is not something he 'wanted to publicise', but felt he it was important to highlight the need for Indian representation in the local professional league. According to Kadodia, when he first formed Maritzburg United (now changed to Durban City), they were part of three Indian-owned teams in the PSL along with Manning Rangers and Santos FC. 'I come from the days where we used football as a method to demonstrate our stance against apartheid. There used to be an all-African league, an all-white league and then we had a league with players from all racial groups in it," said Kadodia. "I grew up in the sort of mixed fraternity where we fought and struggled together. I think football is a lot like that, because it's a fight to stay in this league. It's tough and you need to have your best all the time. But I'm a football fanatic, I don't think giving up is an option."
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
VIDEO: Nelson Mandela Drive roadworks cause DIY traffic rules
POLOKWANE – Frustration is boiling over the ongoing roadworks on Nelson Mandela Drive as it has not only caused major congestion in surrounding areas, but also a rise in reckless driving and disregard for the rules of the road. With little to no visibility of traffic officials to manage the chaos, motorists have reported to the Polokwane Review-Observer that drivers have turned alternative routes into a free for all. The project, which began last Wednesday has led to many drivers having to divert through alternative routes, causing congestion in suburbs like Ladanna, Seshego, the Extensions and Westenburg. They claim these roads are now also congested and unsafe, with tensions running high during peak traffic. A video, taken by Observer journalist Koketso Sekhwela this morning in Fluoorspar Street, shows two motorists in a bakkie and a taxi, clearly violating the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 by driving on a pathway to avoid congestion. Under the act, it is generally prohibited to drive on pavements and states that vehicles should be driven on designated roadways and pavements are reserved for pedestrian traffic. Roadworks causing a bigger traffic issue According to the spokesperson of the Polokwane Municiaplity, Thipa Selala, the project involves the rehabilitation of base layer and resurfacing of the road. 'The project also includes maintenance of the existing stormwater infrastructure to improve drainage and extend the lifespan of the road,' Selala told the Review-Observer. Read more: Roadworks to continue on Nelson Mandela Drive until September Despite Polokwane Traffic Officials visible on key routes, motorists said there is no sight of pointsmen at key intersections. When asked how the municipality is managing traffic flow, Selala said the municipality has placed temporary traffic signage at key points to guide motorists around the construction area. 'In addition, municipal traffic control officers are deployed at critical intersections to assist with traffic flow, especially during peak hours. Additional traffic personnel may be deployed as needed based on traffic volume and movement patterns,' he said. Public notices were issued through the Polokwane Municipality Facebook and X pages, the municipal WhatsApp channel, ward councillors and the Municipal Public Participation Unit to inform residents of the road closure and expected disruptions. TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ALERT From 16 July (17h00) to 16 Sept (17h00), lanes on Nelson Mandela Dr (Rissik–Vermikuliet) will be partially closed for maintenance. Please use alternative routes & plan ahead. Log queries via MyPolokwane Citizen App or call 015 290 2000. End — Polokwane Municipality (@PolokwaneMuni) July 16, 2025 Selala said they continue to engage directly with key stakeholders, including nearby businesses, schools and the taxi associations, to address concerns and provide relevant updates. To meet the project completion target of September, the appointed contractor has committed to deploying additional resources on site which includes extended working hours and weekend operations to ensure the work progresses efficiently and on schedule. 'Motorists are encouraged to make use of alternative routes through the Ladine area and other clearly marked detours indicated on site. Temporary signage has been installed to assist with navigation and reduce congestion in the affected area. We appreciates the public's patience and cooperation as we work to deliver safer, more durable road infrastructure for all,' he concluded. Selala was also asked to clarify what consequences, if any, are in place for motorists who violate traffic rules. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
