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The South African
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The South African
BAD news for motorists with expired drivers' licences in SA
Any South African motorists with expired drivers' licences are in for a longer-than-expected wait. Last week, it was revealed that the Department of Transport (DOT) filed papers with the Pretoria High Court to re-run its botched licence printing tender. The South African has been keeping track of the licence printing debacle that's several years behind schedule. However, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), has now revealed that papers have been filed to overturn the existing R886-million contract. This means we are no further along to resolving the issue of expired drivers' licences than we were years ago. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has been under attack for her handling of the backlog debacle. Even though the irregularities took place before she was in office. Image: File In fact, so desperate is the DOT that it asked the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to help print expired drivers' licences. However, even this hasn't gone smoothly, because the output needs to be approved the State Security Agency (SSA) before going ahead. The minister. had hoped for a three-month turnaround, but even this stop-gap solution looks unlikely. Meanwhile, it's estimated that the current backlog of expired drivers' licences now exceeds 600 000, reports TopAuto . Likewise, papers filed by the department in the High Court request a complete re-run of the tender process, which was originally awarded to French firm, Idemia. SA motorists will be given six months' grace if found driving without a valid driver's licence. However, you must be able to produce proof of renewal. Image: File Moreover, the sustainability of the DOT's ambitious new licence system is now in doubt. The department wanted fully digital, connected Driver's Licence Card Accounts (DLCA), but irregularities in the original tender procurement process could put pay to that elaborate idea, in favour of something more cost effective. The Audit General of SA's report found that Idemia had, 'failed to meet key bid technical requirements.' Primarily when it came to inadequate budget analysis and inconsistent application scoring. As a result, a backlog of expired drivers' licences continues to grow as the current, outdated printing machine suffers from frequent breakdowns. South Africa's aged card printing machine should have been replaced more than a decade ago. Image: File Furthermore, papers filed by the department outline other flaws in the tender application process. Including a R400-million cost escalation from the Cabinet-approved budget of R486 million, resulting in a total of R886 million. Even at this elevated cost, the successful tender used outdated pricing and omitted basic printing material costs, which would have increased taxpayer expense further still. It is unclear whether Idemia will oppose the DOT's court challenge. Meanwhile, anyone who awaiting expired drivers' licences is exempt from fines for six months. However, they must be able to show a renewal receipt as proof. At the start of July 2025, the number of expired drivers' licences waiting in the system were 602 831. 192 856 of which were destined for Gauteng, 86 862 for the Western Cape and 85 313 in backlog for KwaZulu-Natal. 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.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Department of Transport seeks interim fix for licence card backlog
The Department of Transport says it is trying to find an interim solution to address the issue of reliance on the current driving licence card machine. The Department of Transport is on a mission to find an interim solution to address the issue of reliance on the current driving licence card machine. The department was responding to a statement by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) following the announcement that the machine had been repaired and operations resumed. The breakdown of the machine, according to the department, led to a backlog of more than 700 000 outstanding cards waiting to be printed. Outa said the machine is prone to regular breakdowns and is bound to break down again. The organisation said the machine also lacks modern security features. Outa said it is still waiting for the department to provide a solution to this problem. This was the 160th time the printer had broken down, based on a recent statement from the department. 'It is a relief to hear that the machine has been repaired, but the question is how soon it will break down again. This old card machine is prone to regular breakdowns and is bound to break down again. It is also seriously lacking in modern security features,' said Stefanie Fick, Outa's executive director. Fick said the long-term solution is the finalisation of the new driving licence card solution, adding that this should be done either through a tender awarded to a private company or through the government printing works, which manages the printing of the ID cards for the Department of Home Affairs. 'We want a new machine procured, and we want the validity of the cards extended to 10 years.' In its announcement on Thursday, the department said there was a backlog of 747 748 cards waiting to be printed, with a maximum production capacity of 14 000 to 19 000 cards in a 14-hour shift. The Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) has been trying to procure another machine for years, but repeatedly cancelled and reissued the tender. Department of Transport spokesperson, Collion Msibi, said they are working on finding an interim solution in order to address the issue of reliance on the current machine. Msibi added an interim solution would be a better solution while the department awaits the court decision on the declaratory order on the tender process. In August last year, the DLCA awarded the tender for the new machine to Idemia and Security South Africa for R898 597 131. In March 2025, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that she had instructed her department to lodge a declaratory order regarding the tender. Her decision was influenced by the findings from the Auditor-General (AG) report, which identified instances of non-compliance with the required procurement process. However, Outa said it appeared that the court application did not go ahead. The organisation said its chief executive officer, Wayne Duvenage wrote to the Minister and asked for an update on the situation on March 27. However, no reply has been received yet. In the letter, Duvenage said Outa had heard that the department's legal department and Director-General had warned Creecy against cancelling the Idemia contract. Duvenage said the AG report was clear in its flagging of several irregularities and recommended that the awarding of the tender be cancelled. The organisation said the DLCA does not appear to have issued a new tender for the machine, instead the entity issued a tender looking at how to make more money out of the driving licence cards. Cape Argus
