New smart centre for driving licence renewals in South Africa – how to use it

 ·9 Sep 2022

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has launched its second ‘Smart’ Driver’s Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) at a Gautrain station – launching at the Centurion station on Thursday (8 September).

The new centre is part of a partnership with the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA), which aims to eventually offer licensing services at all its stations.

Centres have so far been established at the GMA offices as well as the Gautrain Midrand – which opened in June – and Centurion stations.

The centres make use of the ‘smart enrolment’ system that has been trialled in Gauteng over the past year, with plans for the system to expand to the rest of the province’s service centres in 2023, and thereafter to the rest of the country.

“These smart testing centres are integrated into the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s administration system. The GMA, through its Gautrain stations, is a service point for the DLTC. The services offered at Gautrain’s DLTCs are the same as at all other testing centres across South Africa,” it said.

The move comes after Gauteng’s Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo gazetted changes that will allow the Gautrain to perform some of the same functions as a traditional DLTC in November 2021.

The regulatory Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) will be able to offer DLTC services from Gautrain stations, with the agency being graded as a ‘Grade F’ licencing centre. This means that it is authorised to process:

  • Licence card renewals
  • Temporary driver’s licence applications
  • Traffic fine payments

The DLTCs do not take cash payments and only electronic or card payments are accepted.

Operating times for DLTC facilities at Gautrain stations and Gautrain Management Agency offices are as follows:

  • Weekdays: 08h00 to 18h00
  • Saturdays: 09h00 to 14h00

The process to follow

1. Visit the National administration Traffic Information System (NaTIS) online: https://online.natis.gov.za/#/

2. Request/secure a slot.

3. Download the confirmation document – the confirmation document (email/SMS/webpage) contains the following information:

  • Initials and surname;
  • ID number;
  • Booking reference.

4. Go to the DLTC on the specified date and time.

5. Visit the receptionist/front desk:

  • Bring your identity document (ID) and a copy of your ID, old driver’s licence card or valid South African passport;
  • Bring four black-and-white ID photographs (before you have photographs taken, confirm with the DLTC how many photos it requires);
  • Bring an optometrist’s certificate (optional and must not be older than three months).

6. Receive a DL1 (application for renewal of driver’s licence card) form to complete.

7. If your licence has been lost or stolen, you will receive a declaration in respect of lost documents form (DCT) to complete.

8. If your address or marital status has changed, you will be given a change of particulars (NCP) form to fill out.

9. Visit the examiner of driver’s licences, who:

  • Enrols you on a live capturing unit (LCU);
  • Conducts an eye test (if you have not produced an optometrist’s certificate);
  • Completes the DL1 form;
  • Sends you to the cashier.

10. The cashier:

  • Completes your transaction on the NaTIS system to trigger a payment request;
  • Collects your payment;
  • Orders your card;
  • Issues a temporary driver’s licence (if required).

11. If you are unable to collect your driver’s licence card, you must complete an affidavit (Regulation 112A) acquired from the DLTC. Upon collection, the collector must bring a completed affidavit accompanied by certified (not older than three months) copies from both parties.

The Gautrain said that a new driver’s licence is typically ready in four to six weeks.

Status checks

Track the status of your driver’s licence card application can be tracked on the NaTIS website.

“You are encouraged to regularly check the status of your application, as you will not be automatically notified when it is ready for collection,” the department said.

“Driver’s licence cards must be collected within 90 days, otherwise the card will be destroyed, and you must start the process afresh.”


Read: New driver’s licence card for South Africa

Show comments
Subscribe to our daily newsletter