Motorists driving light motor vehicles and motorcycles will soon benefit from a longer driving licence validity period after Cabinet approved an extension from five years to 10 years.
Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the decision during a post-Cabinet briefing, saying the extension will apply to Codes A, A1, B and EB licences.
However, the new validity period will only come into effect once the necessary legislative amendments have been finalised.
Until then, motorists must continue renewing their driving licence cards when they expire under the current five-year system.
“The implementation of the extended validity period requires legislative amendments. Motorists must therefore continue to renew expired driving licence cards until the new law takes effect,” Ntshavheni said.
She explained that heavy commercial vehicles and public transport vehicles will not be affected by the changes and will continue to follow the existing two- or five-year renewal cycles. Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) will also remain subject to the current two-year renewal requirement.
According to Ntshavheni, the decision brings South Africa in line with international best practice while reducing the administrative burden on both motorists and licensing authorities.
“The change aligns with international best practice, enhances administrative efficiency, reduces the frequency of renewals for motorists and eases service-demand pressures within the licensing system,” she said.
