The big problem with South Africa’s new driver’s licence cards and car discs

 ·15 Oct 2024

South Africa’s new licence card machines will cost taxpayers an estimated R1 billion, but experts say that there is no technological or practical reason why South Africa shouldn’t have digital driver’s and car licences.

For the past 25 years, South Africa has used a single, outdated printer to produce driver’s licence cards.

This machine, prone to frequent breakdowns, has led to significant inefficiencies. On average, it takes 14 working days to produce each card, and from 2022 to 2023, this inefficiency resulted in a backlog of 1.3 million renewal applications.

In response, the government sought to address the issue by replacing the printer with newer, faster machines that also promised enhanced security features.

However, this solution has raised more questions than it answers.

After a failed bid process in 2022, the government reissued the tender in April 2023.

According to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, the new driving licence card machines will cost South Africa a staggering R334 million each, with two machines installed at the primary licence card production site and a third at a disaster recovery location.

In total, the investment for the three machines will exceed R1 billion.

This massive expenditure has raised eyebrows, particularly as experts argue that physical licence cards are becoming obsolete in today’s increasingly digital world.

Rob Handfield-Jones, a road safety expert and managing director of Driving.co.za, is among the voices questioning this decision.

Speaking to MyBroadband, Handfield-Jones expressed disbelief at the government’s commitment to physical licence cards when digital solutions are readily available.

According to him, there is no technological or practical obstacle preventing South Africa from adopting digital licensing and enforcement systems.

“If SARS can collect tax with an app, surely traffic officers could police drivers with an app,” Handfield-Jones argued.

He pointed out that a digital licensing app could likely be developed and implemented for a fraction of the cost of the proposed licence card machines.

The government’s reluctance to pursue this more modern, cost-effective solution has led Handfield-Jones to conclude that the reliance on physical card production is financially motivated.

“Government will milk it ad infinitum unless the citizenry puts a stop to it,” he stated, suggesting that the tender process for the new machines is not merely about efficiency but about ensuring a continued stream of revenue.

Handfield-Jones calculated that producing 60 million cards over a 20-year period with the new machines would result in a cost of approximately R16 per card.

Even with operational costs, this figure rises only slightly to around R20 per card. Yet, motorists are charged over R200 for card renewals.

According to Handfield-Jones, this discrepancy suggests that the government stands to make nearly R11 billion in profit from the production of driving licence cards over two decades and likely even more.

The argument that digital licences would offer a more practical and affordable alternative has gained traction among other experts as well.

Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage and Automobile Association (AA) spokesperson Layton Beard both share similar concerns.

Both have advocated for extending the validity period of driving licences, which would reduce the frequency of renewals and lower costs for motorists.

Duvenage pointed out that this would also help alleviate the inefficiencies in the current renewal system.

Handfield-Jones further emphasised that the government’s prioritisation of revenue over road safety has been evident for nearly three decades.

He argued that the justification for frequent licence renewals is weak, noting that the durability of identity documents—such as ID books and ID cards—has never been a significant concern.

By comparison, driver’s licences are treated as though they require more frequent renewal, a distinction Handfield-Jones finds unfounded.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in new card printing machines, rather than exploring digital alternatives, reflects a deeper issue within the government’s approach to the transport sector.

Outa has expressed hope that recent changes in leadership within the Department of Transport (DoT) may signal a shift in priorities.

Over the past two decades, the department has seen 11 different ministers, with conflicting policy directions leading to instability.

Stabilising the DoT and its entities is now a priority, but whether this will include a move towards digital solutions remains to be seen.

In the end, while the new machines may alleviate some of the backlog issues, many believe that they are a step in the wrong direction.

A shift towards digital licensing could save the government—and taxpayers—significant amounts of money while also making the process more efficient and future-proof.


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