SA’s only driver’s licence card printer is NOT broken – Dept of Transport debunks reports

947’s Anele and The Club speak with Department of Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi.

Listen below:

Despite reports suggesting that the driver’s licence card printer is broken again, the Transport Department confirms it is working well and making headway with the backlog.

The printer, which broke down in February, was fixed and returned to commission in May.

“Since it was fixed in the first week of May, it has been working perfectly. You shouldn’t worry… it’s definitely not broken.”

– Collen Msibi, Department of Transport spokesperson

“[About] 269,000 cards have been printed already, so the backlog is now sitting at 690,000... which is still a big number.”

– Collen Msibi, Department of Transport spokesperson

“We are looking at about four to six months [to clear the backlog]. The normal time it takes to get your licence, it takes about 14 days, so now with this backlog, things are changing. So you are looking at about four to six weeks now to get your driver’s licence card.”

– Collen Msibi, Department of Transport spokesperson

If you have applied for a new driver’s licence card before the current one expires, keep your receipt handy in the car.

“Your license is still valid for another three months after you’ve applied [before it expires].”

– Collen Msibi, Department of Transport spokesperson

If you have applied for a renewal after your licence has expired, you will need to get a temporary licence.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.