Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
17 June 2025

📷 South Africa’s only licence card machine—old, overworked, and unreliable—leaves 700,000 motorists in limbo.

Motorists across South Africa are once again bearing the brunt of a broken licensing system, as the country’s only driver’s license card printing machine has failed yet again, resulting in a mounting backlog of nearly 700,000 unprinted cards. The Department of Transport is scrambling, while civil society group OUTA is calling for urgent and long-overdue reform.

Advocate Stephanie Fick from OUTA told Radio Islam International the machine, which dates back to 1998, is “geriatric” and unreliable. “Although the machine has been temporarily fixed, it’s just a matter of time before it breaks down again. And in the meantime, the backlog continues to grow,” said Fick.

As thousands wait in frustration, OUTA is urging newly appointed Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to introduce an emergency moratorium on fines and temporary licence requirements for those caught in the crisis. “If you’ve applied to renew your driver’s licence but haven’t received the card due to no fault of your own, you shouldn’t be penalised,” Fick asserted.

During COVID-19, a similar moratorium was introduced. OUTA is now calling for the same, noting that requiring motorists to pay for temporary licences adds unnecessary financial strain. “This should not be a money-making scheme,” said Fick. “People are law-abiding citizens trying to do the right thing.”

Beyond temporary relief, OUTA is pushing for more permanent reform. They’ve written to the minister advocating for the validity of licence cards to be extended from five to ten years, aligning with global standards. “This isn’t just about a machine. It’s about fixing a broken system,” said Fick.

OUTA’s investigations have also revealed rampant corruption at licensing stations, including bribery for appointments and even fake licenses being issued without any testing. “It’s terrifying,” Fick said. “People are sharing the road with unqualified drivers.”

The organisation also raised red flags about inconsistent roadworthy checks across provinces. “In Gauteng, some taxis skip annual roadworthy tests by registering in Mpumalanga or Limpopo, where standards are laxer,” Fick explained.

With no clear timeline for procuring a new machine, OUTA warns of an impending repeat crisis. “All we’re asking for is transparency and immediate action,” Fick concluded.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Annsia Essack and Advocate Stephanie Fick.