Is it time for the government to rethink how we issue driver's licences?
The machine broke down on February 5, halting production and creating a backlog of 747,748 licence cards.
Gauteng leads the list with more than 250,000 outstanding cards, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
To catch up, the Driving Licence Card Agency will extend staff working hours — but the backlog also depends on how many new orders arrive each day.
With long waits, outdated systems and only one card printing machine serving the country, is it time for a complete rethink?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
4 days ago
- The Herald
Gift of car to mother ends in tragedy
A KwaZulu-Natal teacher and a 16-year-old girl died when the car in which they were travelling veered off a cliff in KwaSwayimane on Saturday. Transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said it was not clear what caused the vehicle driven by Anastasia Shabalala to reverse and fall off a cliff. The girl was identified as Lona Madlala. 'Shabalala, a single parent, received the car last year as a gift from her children. Sadly she left us on Women's Day. 'The helicopter rescue team worked under very difficult conditions to retrieve their bodies from the wreckage more than 800m down the cliff.' Duma said teacher Mbali Msomi alerted traffic ambassador Ayanda Msweli about the incident. 'We acted immediately by calling for the helicopter rescue team and reinforcement. 'I have mandated my office to arrange social workers to provide professional counselling services to the families.' TimesLIVE
The Herald
06-08-2025
- The Herald
New study shows how much time drivers lose to car admin
New research from the UK suggests drivers spend hundreds of hours managing their cars, from booking services to worrying about warning lights. Commissioned by BMW and based on a survey of 2,000 motorists, the study estimates people lose up to 565 hours over their lifetimes to car-related admin. That's about a day each year spent thinking about maintenance, inspections or mechanical issues. The effect isn't just logistical. About 63% of respondents said car trouble has forced them to miss important events. On average, drivers have to change their plans four times a year due to unexpected vehicle problems. Many still manage things the old-fashioned way: 52% use diaries or calendars to track service intervals while a third wait for a dashboard warning before acting. Nearly four in 10 admitted putting off garage visits altogether. BMW commissioned the research to highlight its proactive care technology, which is available on all BMWs in the UK less than 10 years old. It monitors the car's condition in real time, flags issues early and offers support after incidents — all aimed at helping drivers avoid disruptions. Asked how they'd prefer to use the time they lose to car admin, a third of drivers said they'd read more, another third would prioritise exercise and many just wanted a proper break with holidays topping the list for stress relief.
The Herald
21-07-2025
- The Herald
Two children and three adults die in head-on collision
Five people have been killed in a motor vehicle accident on the R66 near Nyezane in Gingindlovu on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast after two vehicles collided head-on Sunday night. Transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has sent messages of condolences to the families. Three adults and two children died in the collision, he said. Duma said according to the road traffic inspectorate, a Hyundai Grand I10 had been transporting eight passengers from Nongoma to Durban when the accident occurred. Three passengers from the same vehicle survived. In a second vehicle, a Ford Ranger LVD, four passengers survived. They were travelling towards Gingindlovu. 'Preliminary reports indicate a Ford Ranger LVD lost control and collided head-on with a Grand I10,' said Duma. He said with schools opening this week he had instructed the road traffic inspectorate to strengthen road safety measures. TimesLIVE
