Minister Mbalula Extends the Validity of Licenses and Permits

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The Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, extended the validity period of the licensing and registration period due to the country’s lockdown regulations.

According to the National Road Act, 1996, published on 30 March:

  • The validity period for learner’s license, driving license card, motor vehicle license disc, professional driving permit, temporary permit, and roadworthy certificates will be extended for a further grace period of 30 days from the date of expiry of the lockdown period.
  • The validity period of the renewal of a motor trade number license during the lockdown will be extended for a further 6 months from the date of the expiry of the lockdown period.
  • Driving license testing centers and vehicle testing stations will be closed during the lockdown period.

These extensions are valid unless determined otherwise by the Minister.

The following services were declared as essential services by the Minister:

  • Tollgate operators
  • Road emergency operators
  • Employees responsible for safe operation of the roads
  • Rail logistic operators

The Minister added an amendment to the Disaster Management Act, 2002, as a measure to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in the Public Transport Service. The amendment states that buses and taxis shall be permitted to operate from 5 am until 8 pm in order to transport the most vulnerable South Africans. This will be effective from 30 March until 3 April.