How much it costs to renew your car licence in South Africa in 2025

 ·21 Jan 2025

Renewing a car licence in South Africa remains a critical yet often costly responsibility for motorists in 2025, with fees varying significantly across provinces.

BusinessTech investigated the costs in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting some notable changes and discrepancies.

In Gauteng, licensing fees increased by 6% to 7% as of April 2024. For example, a car weighing between 750kg and 1,000kg now costs R432 annually to licence.

While Gauteng saw a rise, the Western Cape also implemented a fee hike of 4% to 5%, but it still remains the cheapest out of the three provinces for renewals.

In the Western Cape, the annual cost for a small hatchback is R390, while a large SUV like a Toyota Land Cruiser costs R1,458.

Comparatively, KwaZulu-Natal has maintained its 2024 rates. Still, it remains the most expensive of the three provinces, with fees for similar vehicles exceeding those in Gauteng and the Western Cape by up to R84 and R306, respectively.

Motorists across South Africa are subject to a 21-day grace period for renewing expired licences.

Beyond this, penalties accrue at 10% of the annual fee for each month overdue. This rule highlights the financial burden of delaying renewals, making timely payments essential.

This means, for example, a late renewal penalty of R43.20 per month if the licence lapses beyond the 21-day grace period for a hatchback in Gauteng.

The conversation around digital driver and vehicle licences has also gained traction.

Experts like Rob Handfield-Jones argue that South Africa has the technology to digitise the licensing process, which could simplify renewals and reduce costs.

He points to the efficiency of platforms like SARS eFiling, suggesting similar systems could be applied to vehicle licencing.

This would eliminate the need for physical licence discs and paperwork, potentially saving time and money for both motorists and the government.

However, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) believes the slow move toward digitalisation is intentional.

Outa asserts that the government’s reliance on revenue from licencing fees is a significant barrier to adopting a streamlined, cost-effective system.

They argue that digital licences, while beneficial to motorists, might reduce income from fees and penalties.

For now, motorists must navigate a system marked by regional disparities and a reliance on traditional processes, with hopes for a more efficient future on the horizon.

The table below shows the car licence renewal fees for passenger vehicles in the three provinces, depending on the relevant weight of the car, as outlined by Foresight Publications.

TareNot exceedingGautengW CapeKZN
750kg1000kgR432R390R474
1000kg1250kgR492R462R534
1250kg1500kgR684R642R672
1500kg1750kgR804R708R810
1750kg2000kgR1,032R810R948
2000kg2250kgR1,200R1,104R1,134
2250kg2500kgR1,440R1,290R1,350
2500kg2750kgR1,620R1,446R1,566
2750kg3000kgR1,836R1,458R1,764

Click on the links below to see how much it costs to renew your vehicle license in other provinces of South Africa:

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