South Africa is embarking on a significant overhaul of its driving licence card system, a long-awaited update for drivers across the nation. For years, drivers have struggled with outdated technology, long processing times, and delays when applying for or renewing their licence cards.
To address these issues, the Department of Transport has appointed Idemia Identity and Security, a company known for its expertise in security technology, as the new service provider. Idemia will assist in the production of modern, secure driving licence cards that promise to streamline the application and renewal process.
The selection of Idemia represents a crucial step forward in the modernization of the country’s licensing system. However, despite these improvements, there is some debate over the decision to maintain the current five-year validity period for the cards. Many argue that an extension to eight years would be more advantageous for drivers.
Table of Contents
- New Licence Card Production Details
- Current Challenges in South Africa’s Licence System
- The Tender Process for the Card
- Improved Security and Efficiency in Licence Production
- Design and Validity of the New Licence Card
- The Limitations of the New Licence Card
New Licence Card Production Details
The Department of Transport has confirmed that Idemia Identity and Security has been chosen to produce South Africa’s updated driving licence cards. Idemia is a global leader in biometric and security solutions, working with over 600 government agencies worldwide, including some in South Africa like Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and TymeBank. Idemia’s expertise in cryptography and biometric technologies will enhance the security of the new driving licence cards, making them harder to counterfeit.
Idemia was selected as the preferred provider in early August, although the specific timeline for the rollout has yet to be announced. The Department of Transport is expected to finalize a service-level agreement with Idemia soon, outlining the production process and schedule.
Current Challenges in South Africa’s Licence System
For over 25 years, South Africa has relied on an outdated machine for producing driving licence cards. This machine, now 26 years old, struggles to meet the growing demand, taking up to 14 working days to print a single licence card. As a result, there is a significant backlog of around 1.3 million unprocessed licence renewals, causing widespread frustration among drivers.
In 2022 and 2023, this problem worsened, leading to delays and long waits. To resolve these issues, the government decided in August 2022 to upgrade the system with a more advanced printer capable of producing multiple cards each day. The new printer will also include enhanced security features to prevent fraud.
The Tender Process for the Card
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In November 2022, the Department of Transport launched a tender to find a suitable machine to replace the aging printer. After a failed initial attempt, the tender was re-advertised in April 2023. Five companies submitted proposals to provide the new printing machine, including:
- Ren-Form Corporate Print Media
- Nec Xon Systems (PTY) LTD
- Muehlbauer ID Services GMBH
- Gemalto Altron Fintech Southern Africa (PTY) LTD
- Idemia Identity and Security – South Africa
After careful evaluation, Idemia was selected as the preferred vendor to supply the new printing machine.
Improved Security and Efficiency in Licence Production
The new driving licence cards will feature enhanced security measures aimed at reducing fraud and ensuring authenticity. With Idemia’s involvement, all cards will be produced at a central location, which will help streamline the process, cut costs, and reduce the risk of fraud. Additionally, the Department of Transport is making improvements to Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) across the country, making the application and renewal process simpler and more user-friendly.
Design and Validity of the New Licence Card
The new driving licence cards will have a more modern design, better durability, and improved security features, making them both safer and easier to use. However, one area of contention is the validity period of the card, which will remain at five years. Some believe that extending the validity to eight years, especially for drivers of light vehicles, would be more practical. Research from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) supports this, suggesting that an eight-year period would be more convenient for South African drivers. Despite this, the Department of Transport has opted to keep the validity period at five years, citing health concerns.
The Limitations of the New Licence Card
The decision to keep the validity period at five years has sparked debate. Both the RTMC and the Department of Transport emphasize the need for regular health checks, including eye tests, as drivers age. They argue that extending the validity could compromise road safety, as drivers’ vision may deteriorate over time without regular evaluations. Additionally, health risks related to communicable diseases were also factored into the decision to maintain the five-year period.
However, some groups, such as the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), have criticized this approach. Outa points to RTMC research suggesting that an eight-year validity period for light vehicle drivers would be more practical, and questions whether health concerns fully justify the five-year renewal cycle. They argue that extending the validity could ease the burden on both drivers and the licensing system, making the process more efficient.