Motorists who applied for a new or renewal driver’s licence card or professional driving permit (PrDP) between October and December last year are being urged to collect them.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), only 42% of the 32 748 driver’s licence cards produced during this time have been collected.
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula opened the RTMC licensing centres in Midrand and Eco Park last year, in response to the backlog of expired driver’s licences due to COVID-19.
The Driver’s Licence Card Account, which prints the licences, is working around the clock to fast-track production and remains on course to clear the backlog by the end of June.
The RTMC says people can check the status of their application before going to the testing centre to collect it.
This can be done by SMS or online.
Driver’s licence SMS query
For a driver’s licence query, applicants can SMS their ID number to 33214. They will then receive one of the SMSes below:
Application received: The application was received, but has not yet been processed.
Production queue: The card is still being processed and manufactured.
Produced and ready for collection: The card will be ready for collection in 21 days. However, due to the high number of cards being processed, the RTMC advises you to wait 35 days before going to collect.
Problem card: There is a problem with the production of your card. Please return to the testing centre.
For a PrDP application query, SMS your ID number to 44220.
Driver’s licence online query
You can also determine the status of your application for free online.
Visit online.natis.gov.za.
Create a profile and log in.
Click the status of your application on the dashboard.
Those whose licences expired between March and 31 August , who missed the renewal deadline of May, are advised to obtain a temporary driver’s licence when applying for their renewal to remain legally compliant.
While RTMC centres are open Monday to Sunday from 7am to 9pm, members of the public are encouraged to take advantage of shorter queues on Fridays and the weekend.