Gauteng transport MEC Mamabolo launches programme to address drivers licence backlog

Gauteng transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo has launched a programme which will enable motorists to secure drivers renewal slots using multiple platforms in order to address the backlog that has plagued the province.

The Request A Slot Campaign, launched on Tuesday, will enable people with expired drivers licences to utilise platforms such as email, mobile app and a web-base system to get slots for the renewal of their documents.

These additional measures come after transport minister Fikile Mbalula’s Friday announcement of an extension in the deadline for all expired drivers licences, learners and professional driving permit to March 31, 2022.

The extension provided relief for thousands of Gauteng motorists who have been battling to renew their licences as they could not secure slots in the online booking system.

According to the department of transport, there is a backlog of 2.8-million licences which need to be renewed nationally, but that only 1.2-million renewals have so far been processed. This means 42% of licences must still be renewed.

Gauteng has about 437,000 expired licences that need to be renewed and the figure rises every month.

Mamabolo announced that 10 more Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTC) will be introduced in the province to provide more facilities in which people can renew their licences. These will include kiosks which will be set at some of the Gautrain stations. Before walking into these facilities, people have to secure a booking using these emails: requestaslot@gauteng.gov.za or requestaslot@rtmc.co.za

People can also go to online.natis.gov.za to secure a slot. The Android app platform is expected to start running before the end of the week. All the other platforms have already started working. When one uses these platforms, they will have an option to indicate which two DLTCs they prefer to use for their renewal. A slot will be given via email and SMS within 30 days.

The 10 DLTCs introduced will work between 7am and 9pm, Monday to Sunday. Kiosks will be set up at taxi ranks and malls to enable people to request the slots easily while in transit.

“We are appealing to the public not to wait for March 31 [next year] but to request a slot on time. A person who does not request a slot or honour the slot which has been given cannot be defined as part of the backlog with all these measures we’ve introduced,” Mamabolo said.

The target is to avail about 35,000 slots a month.

Mamabolo further announced that a forensic investigating company has been appointed to look into the corruption at all the 40 DLTCs in the province. Corruption at these centres involving officials of the department and driving schools has been rampant.

Mamabolo said the department is now working with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to develop a process in which driving schools will be vetted and registered to protect the public from being exploited. Driving schools have been accused of working with internal officials, taking slots and then selling them to the rest of the public.