Good news for anyone with a driver’s licence, petrol stations facing shutdown, and the taxman adding new requirements for vehicle owners in South Africa

These were the five biggest stories in South Africa’s transport industry this week.

Good news for anyone with a driver’s licence in South Africa

The process to extend the validity period of South African driving licence cards from five to eight years has taken another step forward.

This is according to the Department of Transport’s annual performance plan for 2026/27, with the department noting it plans to send the policy document to Cabinet for approval by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.

Following this, the goal is to have the document approved for submission to Parliament by the end of the 2027/28 period.

Petrol stations facing shutdown in South Africa

Petrol stations in South Africa, particularly in rural areas, may be forced to cut staff or shut down if fuel prices do not recover soon.

South African Petroleum Retailers Association chairman Henry van der Merwe warned that forecourts are taking a beating right now because motorists are spending far less on fuel.

At the same time, stations receive the same R2 margin regardless of whether petrol is R25 or R40, meaning they bear the brunt of the higher oil price.

Taxman adding new requirements for vehicle owners in South Africa next week

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will implement new requirements for owners of foreign-registered vehicles next month.

Starting 1 June 2026, foreign-registered cars will need to be declared on the SARS Traveller Management System prior to entering or leaving South Africa.

In cases where foreign vehicles have been temporarily imported, SARS may issue a temporary import permit with a validity period of six months.

New airport and a R10-billion upgrade for one of South Africa’s biggest cities

Cape Town is set to receive a brand-new international airport, as well as a R10-billion upgrade to its main airport.

The new, privately owned Cape Winelands Airport is scheduled to open in 2028, offering direct access to the region’s wine farms and serving as an alternative to Cape Town International Airport.

Meanwhile, Airports Company South Africa is upgrading Cape Town International, revamping the runway and facilities to improve operational efficiency.

Big changes for speeding fines in South Africa

The way that speeding fines are issued is set to change when the new Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) comes into effect, a little over a month from now.

AARTO, which is scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026, will introduce a new system for traffic violations, separating them into two categories – infringements and offences.

Minor infringements will be handled by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency, while serious offences will go through the legal system.