Broken driving licence card machine bemoaned

Cape Town – The driving licence card backlog in the Western Cape stood at 39 255 on Wednesday.

This, as the driving licence card production machine broke again during the week of September 15.

Transport MEC Daylin Mitchell said livelihoods were affected by the situation.

The machine broke down before in November 2021.

It took two months to repair, creating a backlog of millions of cards.

“The current state of affairs negatively impacts the livelihood of citizens who are required by law and dependent on having a driving licence card in their possession, so that they, their passengers and goods can move between places, which is key for economic growth and jobs,” Mitchell said.

“The Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) assured me that they have been in contact with the service provider for a replacement part.

“I have been informed that the part has been received and is being installed. It is envisioned that production will resume on Monday October 24, 2022 if everything goes well.”

Mitchell said he would engage Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, to ask that provinces be allowed to produce driving licence cards.

A driving licence card holder may apply for a temporary driving licence at the same time when applying for a new driving licence card at a cost of R45, which is valid for a period of six months from the date of application.

DLTCs were still processing applications as usual, Mitchell said.

Cape Times