Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 30 December 2025

📸 The move to extend driver’s licence validity to eight years is progressing, but final approval is still awaited.

The proposed extension of South Africa’s driver’s licence card validity period from five to eight years is gaining traction, but final approval remains pending, with administrative delays and policy considerations still in play.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Advocate Stefanie Fick, Executive Director of the Accountability Division at OUTA, said while the Department of Transport appears to be moving in the right direction, the change is not yet official. “I can’t say it’s a done deal because it is the minister that must publish that government gazette,” Fick explained, adding that the minister has indicated a desire to take the matter to Parliament after reviewing further research.

The proposal includes a possible caveat: the extension may not apply to heavy vehicle drivers or those transporting passengers, such as taxi operators. Fick questioned whether this distinction alone would meaningfully improve road safety. “Getting the death tolls on our roads down is a multi-pronged approach,” she said, noting that frequent licence renewals do not necessarily test future driving competence.

Instead, she highlighted other critical factors, including vehicle roadworthiness and infrastructure. “A taxi needs to go every year to test the roadworthiness of their vehicles and we know that some of the taxis are not in a very good condition,” she said, also pointing to the poor state of many roads and the prevalence of fraudulently obtained licences.

From OUTA’s perspective, extending the validity period is particularly important for ordinary motorists given persistent administrative failures. “Every time [the licence card machine] is out of order, there’s chaos,” Fick said, referring to long queues and mounting backlogs. She noted that international research shows many countries have validity periods far longer than South Africa’s, with the global average sitting at around ten years.

Fick added that previous extensions during the COVID-19 period did not lead to an increase in road fatalities, undermining arguments that shorter validity periods are essential for safety. “Extending the validity is sort of the norm,” she said, emphasising that it would ease pressure on an already strained system.

Questions have also been raised about delays in publishing the draft notice for public comment. Fick expressed scepticism but not alarm. “I really just think it’s the department that is unable to keep their own timeline,” she said, suggesting that no announcement should be expected before the end of next year.

Addressing concerns that the delay may be linked to lost revenue from fewer renewals, Fick was blunt: “Government is not supposed to make money.” She stressed that licence fees should reflect costs, not profit, and said any profit-driven approach should be challenged.

While uncertainty remains, Fick urged patience, saying the minister has requested comprehensive research to “apply her mind” properly. For now, motorists continue to wait, hopeful that the long-discussed reform will finally materialise.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Annisa Essack and Advocate Stefanie Fick.