Issuing of Temporary Driving Licences
The Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) has noted an increase in late applications for the renewal of driving licence cards. Members of the public are advised that when applying for a new driving licence card and the issuing of a temporary driving licence, the same legal requirements apply, including eye testing. Vision standards differ according to the code of the driving licence applied for.
In many cases, where applicants do not meet the prescribed vision standards, the driving licence code may need to be downgraded. Such applications must be submitted to the Mobility Department and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) for approval. Please note that both entities are closed for the festive season and will only resume operations on 05 January 2026. As a result, a temporary driving licence may not be issued, and the affected individual will not be permitted to operate a motor vehicle, as this would constitute driving without a valid licence.
In terms of Section 15(1)(f)(vi) of the National Road Traffic Act, Act 93 of 1996, a person is disqualified from obtaining or holding a learner’s or driving licence if he or she suffers from defective vision as determined in accordance with prescribed standards. This is further supported by Regulation 102, which deals with defective vision disqualifying a person from holding or obtaining a licence.
With regard to licence card validity, Regulation 108(5)(a) provides that a driving licence card expires five years from the date it was ordered from the Card Production Facility. Regulation 108(6)(a) further states that if a person applies for a new driving licence card on or before the expiry date, and the licence has not been suspended or cancelled, the existing card remains valid for up to three months after expiry, pending the issuing of the new card.
Drivers may continue to use their expired driving licence card during this period only if they are in possession of:
The expired driving licence card, and proof of application (receipt) for the new driving licence card.
Motorists are urged to apply for renewal well in advance of the expiry date of their driving licence cards to avoid inconvenience, delays, or the risk of being unable to legally operate a motor vehicle