The Automobile Association (AA) have urged the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula to reconsider the deadline for the renewal of driving licences.
Mbalula announced in February 2020 that driver’s licences which expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021 will be valid until 31 March 2022.
According to the AA, the call for the extension comes after the recent problems with the production of driving licence cards, and issues around Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) and online booking systems.
“We believe it’s unrealistic to expect that this enormous backlog will be cleared by 31 March, this leaves hundreds of thousands of drivers without the necessary documents to be on the road legally.
“Unless traffic law enforcement understands these issues – and finds a suitable way of addressing them, we may find a massive spike in the number of traffic fines issued to motorists in the next couple of weeks and months,” AA said.
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The association further indicated that some motorists may find themselves negatively impacted from an insurance perspective if they are involved in crashes.
“Insurers may repudiate claims if motorists are driving with expired licences. Although those who have applied for new licences are covered through an extension of the validity of their licences, there are still many drivers who have not applied for renewed licences for various reasons beyond their control,” the AA added.
The AA went on to say that says the only practical solution now is for government to further extend the renewal period, and to ensure all DLTCs and systems are geared to accommodate the backlogs.
“Failing this, motorists will, unfortunately, make the decision to drive illegally as they still must remain mobile, whatever the consequences. This is a situation that suits no one in the country.
“Extending the deadline will indicate a willingness by the government to deal effectively with the current backlogs and will show that it understands the limitations of its current structures,” says the AA.
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