Gauteng scholar transport operators urged to acquire roadworthiness certification

Gauteng’s Roads and Transport MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has urged scholar transport operators struggling with their licence applications to return to the department for assistance, stressing that learner safety cannot be compromised.

Diale-Tlabela hosted a provincial scholar transport stakeholder meeting at Johannesburg City Hall on Sunday, which focused on learner safety and compliance for transport operators.

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During the meeting, operators were reminded to obtain school authorisation letters and ensure they have formal contracts with parents or guardians.

Diale-Tlabela also emphasised that all operators must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.

“Here, we are not compromising. Making a vehicle roadworthy doesn’t even take an hour. You go to a testing centre, they do a roadworthy test, and they give you a certificate immediately.

"We’ve also spoken with private VTSS in Gauteng to reduce the price because we’re trying our best as government to meet them halfway.”

Since 2025, over 1,500 operators have applied for licences, with more than 500 approved and over 1,000 still in the finalisation process.