Long-term fix needed for SA’s driving licence card printing system: OUTA

CAPE TOWN - The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) said South Africa urgently needs a long-term solution to its driving licence card printing system.

This comes after the country’s only licence card machine, widely regarded as outdated and prone to failure, came back online after months of downtime.

ALSO READ: Transport Dept will extend working hours to reduce driver’s licence printing backlog

The machine, in use for 26 years, broke down in January, causing a significant backlog in the issuing of cards.

OUTA’s Stefanie Fick said the country urgently needed to find a permanent solution.

“So, I think we all agree that there needs to be a new solution. So as a matter of urgency, either better technology, for example, why not think about one card for all our needs, you know something like that and then definitely if they want to continue with this type of technology, a new card machine that will not break down every second month.”

Plans to procure a new system were put on hold in 2024, after the Auditor-General flagged issues in the tender process.