Bad news for people with driver’s licences planning to vote next week

South Africans planning to take part in the local government elections next week will not be able to use their driver’s licence cards as a form of identification.

This is according to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which warned voters to ensure they bring a valid form of ID to the voting booth in November.

The only accepted forms of identification include Smart ID cards, green ID books, and valid temporary ID certificates.

The DHA stressed that driver’s licence cards, passports, student cards, and photocopies of ID documents will not be accepted for voting purposes.

Registered voters will only be allowed to cast their ballot if they possess an acceptable identity document, the department warned.

“Citizens who still need to replace a lost or damaged identity document ahead of the elections are urged to make use of Home Affairs offices or the more than 450 participating bank branches to acquire their documents and not wait until the last minute,” it said.

The DHA’s announcement about the election comes amid broader plans to eliminate the use of driver’s licence cards and other traffic-related documents as a form of ID.

The Department of Transport (DoT) plans to amend the National Road Traffic Regulations to stop the use of Traffic Register Number (TRN) certificates, and learner’s and driver’s licences as ID documents.

This change would eliminate the use of driving licences as a secondary form of ID for institutions such as residential estates, banks, and office parks, forcing individuals to carry an official ID instead.

According to the DoT, an investigation with Home Affairs revealed widespread misuse of traffic documents such as TRN certificates.

It noted that the use of TRNs and driving licences as a general identification document is contrary to the Identification Act, 1997.

The Act states that the DHA is the sole authority responsible for maintaining the National Population Register and issuing identification documents.

“The amendments are therefore necessary to remove legal ambiguity, stop abuse, and align road traffic legislation with the Identification Act,” it said.

Ban on driver’s licences as ID at airports

Earlier this month, FlySafair confirmed that it was preparing for possible changes that would eliminate the use of driver’s licences as a form of ID at South African airports.

Airlines currently allow travellers to board domestic flights using a driver’s licence, but this may be blocked if the DoT and DHA restrict the use of licences.

“We’re watching this development closely, as any change to the acceptance of driving licences as identification could have a significant impact on our customers,” FlySafair chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon told MyBroadband.

“Driving licences are a convenient and frequently used form of ID, so withdrawing their acceptance would mean many passengers having to make alternative arrangements.”

Under South Africa’s Civil Aviation Regulations 2011, all flight passengers aged 18 and older must present a valid ID at the boarding gate.

“We are therefore engaging with the South African Civil Aviation Authority and taking guidance on how any change applies to aviation and the documents airlines may accept,” Gordon said.

“The identity verification process would remain in place. If driving licences cease to be accepted, passengers who normally use them would need to bring another acceptable form of identification.”