The city in South Africa where you can order a new car licence at a drive-thru

Cape Town motorists are able to visit a drive-thru service that allows them to collect a new vehicle licence disc without setting foot in a building.

In September 2025, the City of Cape Town launched an innovative new licence disc renewal service designed to save time and effort for busy motorists.

Introduced after the City implemented its online booking system, the renewal service centre is located in Brackenfell on the corner of Reservoir and Kruispad Road.

The centre is open Monday to Saturday. On weekdays, the operating hours run from 11h30 to 19h30, while Saturday has a smaller opening window between 11h00 and 14h30.

When the facility was first opened, the City stated that it planned to work with the Road Traffic Management Corporation to extend the service’s operating hours over the coming months.

It also said it planned to explore other locations where new centres could be established. However, these plans have yet to manifest, meaning the service is currently limited to the Brackenfell branch.

The facility itself is cashless and was created purely to streamline vehicle licence disc renewals.

Motorists can apply for a new licence online. Once their disc is ready, they will receive an SMS on their phone.

They can then drive to the licence centre, pull up to the booth, and present their SMS renewal notice to the staff.

Once verified, individuals can pay by card, collect their new disc, and drive off, all without ever needing to get out of their cars.

Mayoral committee member for finance, Siseko Mbandezi, previously stated it takes less than five minutes for a person to renew their licence if all their paperwork is correct.

Easier licence renewals in Gauteng

While Cape Town is piloting a new system for easier car licence disc renewals, the Gauteng Department of Transport is working to expand the number of Smart Driver Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) across the province.

The Smart DLTCs are fully integrated into the eNaTIS administration system and are designed to operate as efficient licensing hubs.

They offer a range of motoring-related services, including vehicle licence disc renewals and driving licence applications and renewals.

In a bid to improve service delivery and reduce licence renewal backlogs, the DLTCs are open on weekends, making them far more convenient for motorists who are busy during the week.

In June, the Gauteng MEC for roads and transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, revealed plans to upgrade the province’s Gautrain stations to include new licence services.

“One of the things that is coming with the new concessionary process is the commercialisation of our stations. We’ve already started with the smart licensing centres throughout all except Pretoria station.”

The plans to upgrade the Gautrain stations form part of the new concession established following the conclusion of the GMA’s 19-and-a-half-year concession agreement with the Bombela Concession Company.