South African motorists may soon get relief from frequent driving licence card renewals, as the Department of Transport is moving ahead with plans to extend the validity period from five years to eight years.
The proposal is included in the department’s annual performance plan for 2026/27, which outlines the steps needed before the change can become law. According to the plan, the policy document is expected to be sent to Cabinet for approval by March 2027.
If Cabinet gives the green light, the proposal could then be prepared for submission to Parliament by March 2028. This means the change is not immediate, but it is now officially part of the department’s planning process.
Key Timeline for the New Licence Rule
The Department of Transport has set out a phased timeline for the extension. In the short term, the validity period proposal is expected to be submitted to the Minister by June 2026.
By September 2026, it should move to the Shareholders’ Committee. In December 2026, the proposal is expected to be submitted to the relevant Forum of South African Directors-General clusters.
The final target for the 2026/27 financial year is for the extension to be approved for submission to Cabinet by March 2027. The next major step would be parliamentary submission by March 2028.
Why the Extension Matters to Motorists
For drivers, an eight-year licence card would mean fewer renewals, fewer queues, and less pressure on licensing centres. It could also reduce administrative frustration for millions of motorists who currently need to renew their driving licence cards every five years.
The change forms part of a broader effort to improve efficiency in South Africa’s licensing system. Longer validity could help reduce service demand and make the process easier for both drivers and officials.
Financial Concerns Still Remain
While the proposal has been welcomed by many motorists, the Department of Transport and the Driving Licence Card Account have raised financial concerns.
The Driving Licence Card Account relies on revenue from card production and renewals. If cards are valid for eight years instead of five, fewer renewals would be processed over time. This could reduce revenue and affect the financial stability of the entity.
The department has previously said that a cost-benefit analysis was still underway. Officials have also warned that the move may have unintended consequences, especially for government income linked to licence card renewals.
A Long-Delayed Reform
The idea of extending driving licence card validity is not new. Former Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced in 2022 that the Road Traffic Management Corporation would study the possibility of extending the validity period to 10 years.
That study was later completed and submitted to Cabinet. In 2024, it was revealed that the study supported an extension to eight years. However, the department under former minister Sindisiwe Chikunga moved away from the proposal.
At the time, the department argued that regular renewals were important because eye tests help identify health-related risks. Critics strongly rejected this explanation and claimed the real reason was financial.
Minister Creecy Backs the Change
The issue gained new momentum under Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. In late 2025, Creecy expressed support for extending the licence card validity period.
Department director-general Mathabatha Mokonyana also confirmed that the process was moving forward.
Creecy’s support appears to have revived the long-delayed reform and placed it back on the official policy agenda.
Conclusion
The planned extension of South African driving licence cards from five to eight years could bring major relief for motorists, but the change is still several steps away.
Cabinet approval is targeted for March 2027, with Parliament expected to consider the proposal by March 2028.
While drivers may welcome fewer renewals and shorter queues, the government still has to resolve concerns around revenue and financial sustainability.
