South Africa is moving towards 10-year driving licences, but motorists must still follow the current five-year renewal rules.
As NOWinSA previously reported, Cabinet has approved a proposal to extend the validity of light vehicle and motorcycle licences — codes A, A1, B and EB — from five to 10 years.
The Department of Transport has now gazetted the proposed amendments for public comment.
The change is not yet law, meaning drivers whose cards are approaching expiry cannot simply wait for the 10-year system to take effect. As the process develops,
NOWinSA will continue to track the changes, so keep an eye on our latest news updates for further developments.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa welcomed the move, which follows an RTMC study recommending a longer validity period to align with international practice and reduce pressure on the licensing system.
What changes under the 10-year driving licence plan?
If the amendments take effect, driving licence cards for codes A, A1, B and EB will be valid for 10 years.
The draft regulations specify that the validity period will run from the date the card is ordered from the Card Production Facility.
The proposal is not backdated to cards already issued.
It also states that the driver must have applied for the new card on or before the expiry date of the current one.
Heavy vehicle licences — including C1, C, EC1 and EC — will remain on a five-year cycle. Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) will continue on their existing two-year cycle.
When will the 10-year licence take effect?
The proposal is still going through the required legal process.
Public comments close on September 16, 2026, after which the draft regulations will go to the Office of the State Law Adviser for legal scrutiny before the amendments can be formally signed and promulgated.
Until that happens, the existing five-year rules remain in force.
OUTA, which has campaigned for longer licence validity since the 2020 licensing crisis, welcomed Cabinet’s decision.
“This decision is almost six years overdue, but it is a victory for motorists and for common sense,” said OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage.
What motorists should do now
If your driving licence card is due to expire, do not wait for the 10-year change. Renew it under the current rules.
Motorists can start the renewal process through the NaTIS online portal. You will need to:
- Complete form DL1, the application for renewal of a driving licence card.
- Complete the NCP form if your address or other personal details have changed.
- Complete an eye test at the DLTC or have it done by an optometrist and take the results to your appointment.
- Attend your Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) appointment.
The Department of Transport is also expanding cashless Smart DLTCs, rather than partnering with banks to process licence renewals.
This differs from the approach taken by SARS and the Reserve Bank, which are working with banks on an instant payment system aimed at increasing financial inclusion and reducing cash in circulation.
For now, the message is simple: keep your licence renewal on schedule. The 10-year validity period only becomes relevant once the legal amendments officially take effect.
