Renewing your driver’s licence is a familiar pain for all South Africans as it needs to be renewed every 5 years.
Residents living in Gauteng and Eastern Cape can now book online to get their Driving Licence Card renewed through the NaTIS (National Traffic Information System) website: online.natis.gov.za
Unfortunately, for the rest of the provinces there is no quick, online solution to relieve the amounts of renewal applications that need to be processed by the Driving Licence Testing Centres. We can only hope that this is something that will be implemented in the near future.
However, if you’re looking to shorten the process and queue times, you can always show up prepared with all the documentation that will be requested from you.
What you will need to renew your driving licence card
You will need the following documentation:
- Your ID book, Smart ID Card, RSA passport, Traffic Register Certificate or a valid VISA / Permit.
- Your current driver’s licence card.
- 4 x ID photographs of yourself (can be printed in black and white)
- Proof of address (usually found on utility bills or bank statements).
- The DL1 Application form
- A pen to fill in the form (if you haven’t completed it beforehand)
Here’s some tips to speed up the process
Proving your proof of address. If your name does not appear on the utility bill, the owner of the utility bill must get an affidavit it the closest Police Station, declaring that you live at the address. You must then submit the affidavit along with the utility bill as proof of address. If you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address.
Get your pictures taken beforehand. There are usually private kiosks around the Testing Centres where you can get these taken, or alternatively you can go to your closest internet café / print shop to get some printed. These photographs are usually 3cm x 3.5cm in size. These can be printed in black and white.
Skip the awkward signing of the application form. The application form that needs to be filled in is available at the driving licence testing centre, or you can get it printed and fill it in beforehand. Here is the link to the file: capetown.gov.za
You don’t have to get your eye test done at the driving testing centre. During the process of renewing your driving licence disc at the testing centre, you will do an eye test. However, you can get it done at the nearest optometrist of your choice and submit your results along with all of your documentation.
What does it cost to renew your driving licence card?
As of July 2022 it will cost you R140 to get your driving licence card renewed, it will cost you R185 if your licence has expired during renewal application.
How to get a temporary driving licence
You will receive a temporary driving licence document, valid for 6 months, after you pass your driving licence test. This is only applicable to first-time applicants.
However, if you need to get a temporary driving licence document because your driving licence card has expired or has been lost or stolen, you can do so at your nearest Driving Licence Testing Centre. This document is issued immediately, however because it is only valid for 6 months you will still need to renew your driving licence card.
The temporary driving licence document will cost you R45 (as of July 2022) and you will need to give a photograph of yourself along with your ID document / Smart ID card / RSA Passport / VISA
For more information about getting your driving licence renewed visit City of Cape Town’s website: www.capetown.gov.za/…/Apply-for-new-or-replacement-drivers-licence
You can also find more information on the South African Government website: www.gov.za/…/renew-driving-licence