South African motorists can finally breathe a little easier, as the country’s driving licence backlog has dropped dramatically.
The Department of Transport (DoT) stated that the number of outstanding driving licence cards has decreased from approximately 800 000 in May to around 200 000, thanks to an intensive catch-up effort.
According to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, teams at the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) have been working around the clock in three shifts to speed up production using the department’s existing, older machine.
New backup system in the works
To prevent future delays, the DoT is close to setting up a backup printing system at the Government Printing Works (GPW).
This move aims to ensure that production continues even if the current machine, which is prone to breakdowns, fails again.
The department’s high court application regarding the R898 million tender for a new card printing system will also proceed without opposition, Moneyweb reported. Creecy called the development “a relief” that will allow the process to move faster.
The tender for a new licence card system was first awarded in September 2024 to Idemia Identity and Security South Africa, a subsidiary of the French tech company Idemia.
However, the Auditor-General later found irregularities in the tender process, triggering a legal impasse that left the department dependent on outdated equipment.
Despite the challenges, Creecy confirmed that the DoT’s efforts have paid off, with the backlog in the production of driving licence cards now reduced to about 200 000.
While work continues on the long-term fix, including the new tender and backup printing setup, motorists waiting for their cards can take heart: the worst of the backlog appears to be over.
