South Africa “almost there” in move to 8-year driving licences

The Department of Transport’s (DoT) spokesperson Collen Msibi said that when it comes to extending the driving licence card validity period, the department is “almost there.”

Msibi revealed this in an interview on 702, where he explained that the DoT is facing a hurdle before it can finalise the move.

“The issue that we are almost finalising is the cost benefit analysis for the drivers licence holders,” he said.

Once the cost benefit analysis is complete, the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) will be “all systems go” to extend the validity period to eight years.

“We thought we would be done by now, but we are almost there,” said Msibi.

The cost benefit analysis aims to determine how driving licence holders would benefit from the extension, saving motorists’ time and possibly their money, if the renewal costs remain the same after the extension.

He explained that there are many stakeholders that need to be consulted, but the decision ultimately lies with the DoT.

“I honestly think that the decision is there, to say that we are moving towards eight years, I think we just need to mitigate all those issues before we can say that we will implement it.”

“I think we are almost 80% there,” said Msibi.

While the extension offers potential benefits to South African motorists, the DoT is concerned that it would face a revenue hit by the extended eight year renewal period.

The DLCA operates under the DoT to produce and deliver driving licence cards to South African motorists – but it is reliant on renewals for revenue, according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.

What the Transport Minister says

Despite this, Creecy recently backed the extension in a statement made at the National Council of Provinces in November 2025.

She stated that South Africans would benefit from oly having to go back to renew their licences every eight years, rather than every five years.

Creecy explained that the DoT had conducted a study on the licence validity period before she was appointed (she was appointed in July 2024).

“I read that study when I was appointed. People who are either driving heavy vehicles that can cause significant accidents or those driving passengers should be renewing on a two-yearly basis,” she said.

“However, with regard to the driver’s licence for ordinary citizens like you and me, the suggestion was that we go for a period of eight years.”

“I think it’s something that we view in a favourable light.”

Creecy said that she had requested the DoT to determine the impact of extending the validity period, to understand the financial implications for the department.