South African motorists are being issued a firm warning: if you’re driving, make sure you’ve got your valid driving licence on hand—or you risk a hefty R500 fine. This comes as the country grapples with a severe backlog in issuing licence cards, exacerbated by the breakdown of the only machine responsible for printing them. The message is clear: no licence, no driving, and photocopies or digital versions won’t cut it.
The Licence Crisis: A 700,000-Strong Backlog
The crisis began earlier this year when South Africa’s sole licence card printer malfunctioned, resulting in a massive backlog of over 700,000 unprinted licence cards. The delays have left many drivers without their original cards, and authorities are now stepping up enforcement to address the issue. In a recent operation in Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD), city traffic officers recorded 164 transgressions. Shockingly, 54 of these involved drivers who couldn’t present a valid driving licence.
JP Smith, Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety, expressed his concern, noting the worrying increase in unlicensed drivers on the roads. “This isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a safety issue,” he said.
The Rules: Original Licence or Proof of Application
Under current regulations, motorists are required to present their original driving licence card when stopped by law enforcement. This includes anyone driving a vehicle, whether it’s for work or personal reasons. Unfortunately, digital copies, photocopies, or even pictures on your phone do not count as valid documentation.
For those affected by the backlog—whether their licences are still in production or they’ve misplaced their cards—the only way to avoid a fine is by carrying valid proof of application or a temporary licence. So, if you’re stuck waiting for your card or have lost it entirely, make sure you have the relevant paperwork to prove that you’ve applied for a new one.
The National Backlog: A Slow-Motion Crisis
To add to the frustration, the situation isn’t likely to resolve quickly. Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy confirmed that the broken printer was only brought back online in May, but even with the machine running, it can only print 14,000 to 19,000 cards per day. At this rate, it’ll take over 40 working days just to get through the backlog, and that’s not even factoring in new applications. The situation is worsened by the fact that the printer is decades old—it has broken down more than 160 times over its 26-year lifespan.
Efforts to modernize the system have been delayed. A plan to upgrade to newer, more secure driving licence cards and introduce additional local printers ran into trouble when a R900 million tender was cancelled due to procurement irregularities. Now, Minister Creecy is appealing to the Pretoria High Court to have the contract set aside and restart the tender process.
Interim Measures and the Future
While the government works on a long-term solution, South African motorists are left in limbo. In the meantime, the Government Printing Works (GPW) has been enlisted for interim support, but it’s clear that until the system is overhauled, drivers must be extra cautious. Forgetting your licence—or not having proper proof of application—will cost you a fine, and possibly even more frustration down the road.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re driving in South Africa, don’t get caught out. Whether you’re commuting to work or just running errands, always have your original licence card with you. If it’s not yet printed due to the backlog, make sure to carry your proof of application or temporary licence.
In the grand scheme, the delays are creating a logistical nightmare, but they’re also a reminder that paperwork might not be as straightforward as it should be. As the situation unfolds, you might want to check the latest updates from the Department of Transport to stay on top of changes. For now, though, carry that card—or pay the price.
