Driver’s licence departments, vehicle registration, and testing centres as well as driving schools are expected to resume their services to the public from 1 June. According to the Department of Transport, a newly published directive outlines the validity of motor vehicle licences, and registrations during South Africa’s 21-day lockdown.
The directive states that these facilities must follow strict hygiene rules as prescribed by the government’s return-to-work regulations.
The seven-week lockdown has made it difficult for South African motorists to renew expired licences, and the government has published a number of regulations to extend the validity of these licences until the lockdown restrictions are relaxed.
The latest regulations state that all documentation that expired between 26 March and 31 May will now be extended for 90 days from 1 June.
This extends to:
- Learner’s licences;
- Driving licences;
- Temporary drivers licences;
- Motor vehicle licence discs;
- Temporary permits;
- Roadworthy certificates;
- Professional driver permits.
In addition, motor trade number licences that expired during this period have had their validity extended by a further six months. A motor trade number is typically used to operate an unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicle on a public road in the course of their business.
