Cape Town extends testing centre hours as licence renewal deadline approaches
The City of Cape Town has extended hours for its Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) to accommodate the upcoming August licence deadline.
The city said its DLTCs are experiencing long queues as the national extension for driving licences and public driving permits that expired between 26 March 2020 and December 2020, expires on 31 August 2021.
“To address this issue, the city will extend operating hours at 15 DLTCs for the rest of August to assist as many clients as possible,” it said.
“The following centres will operate from 08h00 – 16h30 on Mondays to Saturdays, and 08h00 – 15h00 on Sundays:
- Atlantis;
- Bellrail;
- Brackenfell;
- Durbanville;
- Eastridge;
- Elsies River;
- Fish Hoek;
- Gallows Hill;
- Hillstar;
- Joe Gqabi;
- Lingelethu West;
- Milnerton;
- New Ottery;
- Parow;
- Somerset West.
“Our DLTCs were challenged last year, following months of closure and a backlog of tests and transactions when they reopened,” said the city’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith.
“National government eased some of the pressure by extending the validity of driving licences until the end of August.
“So now we are experiencing an influx of people needing to renew their documentation, over and above the normal workload at the centres.”
Smith said that public facilities also have to abide by Covid-19 protocols, which means that there is a limit to the number of persons allowed inside the facility at any given time.
Furthermore, the city has had numerous facility closures in the last month due to Covid-19 exposure, he said.
“We implore the public to please bear with us during this time, and to delay non-urgent transactions where possible, to help shorten the queues for the next few weeks.”
“Residents are also reminded that the City’s DLTCs use the national Natis system to process transactions, particularly eye tests and fingerprints for card renewals.
“Technical issues with the system are not within the City’s control to resolve, and where such issues arise, it slows down service delivery.”
Deadline day
Traffic authorities have warned of the fast-approaching grace period deadline for motoring licences in South Africa at the end of August.
The national lockdown imposed on the country last year forced licencing centres to close, resulting in a massive backlog of expired licences.
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula subsequently announced an extension for these licences.
All learner licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving licences that expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 December 2020 were made valid for a grace period ending 31 August 2021.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has said that drivers should allow at least four weeks lead time from the date of application until the driving licence card.
Those who do not receive a new licence until after expiry will need to apply for a temporary driving licence at an additional cost.
When applying for your driving licence, drivers will need to present the following information and documents:
- Original ID and a copy, old driving licence card or valid South African passport;
- Four black and white ID photographs;
- Proof of residence;
- Licence renewal fee.
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