South African motorists could eventually face fewer trips to driving licence testing centres, with the National Department of Transport formally advancing a proposal to extend the validity of driving licence cards from five years to eight years.
However, motorists should not mistake the proposal for a change that has already taken effect.
The country’s existing five-year renewal requirement remains in place while the extension works its way through government’s approval and regulatory processes.
According to the Department of Transport’s official 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan, the intended outcome is to extend the expiry period of a driving licence card from five to eight years.
Therefore, the Department’s target for the current financial year is to have the proposed extension approved for submission to Cabinet.
As per the report, the plan establishes a phased process for the proposal.
During the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, the revised validity period was scheduled to be submitted to the Minister of Transport.
This is followed by submission to the Shareholders’ Committee during the second quarter.
The proposal is then expected to move to the relevant Forum of South African Directors-General clusters during the third quarter.
By the fourth quarter, the Department aims to have the eight-year validity period approved for submission to Cabinet, supported by a Cabinet memorandum signed by the Transport Minister.
Therefore, while the proposal has entered an official government programme, the Department’s own roadmap does not indicate that eight-year cards are already being issued or that motorists may stop renewing their cards after five years.
The Driving Licence Card Account, which produces South Africa’s licence cards, has also described the extension as an “emerging policy directive” rather than a completed policy change.
Its 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan states that the proposal forms part of broader efforts to improve administrative efficiency, reduce how frequently motorists must renew their cards and ease pressure on the licensing system.
However, the entity confirmed that the policy-development process remains under way and includes regulatory reviews, stakeholder consultations and impact assessments.
While motorists would benefit from less frequent renewals, the Driving Licence Card Account warned that the change could affect its financial position.
Fewer renewals would mean fewer cards being produced during each cycle, potentially reducing revenue generated through card production and issuance.
Furthermore, the Department’s records further show that the proposal is being informed by the National Road Traffic Act, the National Road Traffic Regulations, a Road Traffic Management Corporation study, stakeholder reports and a cost-benefit analysis.
Until the required approvals and regulatory changes are completed, driving licence cards remain valid for five years. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport currently instructs motorists to renew their cards once the five-year validity period expires.
Motorists in Newcastle and across KwaZulu-Natal should therefore continue checking the expiry dates printed on their cards and renew them according to the existing requirements.
While an eight-year validity period would provide welcome relief from repeated applications, eye tests, queues and renewal costs, the proposal must still pass through the remaining government processes before it can legally alter the lifespan of South African driving licence cards.
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That would be brilliant but what about the PRDP does that stay at 2 years or will that move up to 4 or 5 years. Just a question.
Good and what about the PRDP does that stay 2year or it will change to 4 or 5 years it just the question