Dear Minister Mbalula

I am writing to you out of desperation, regarding the process to renew drivers licences.

I live in Centurion and I need to renew my driver’s licence card, but have been unable to secure a booking slot on the online system. I have tried many many times but the system keeps saying “No test appointments are available for the licence code”.

I recently wrote to the RTMC regarding this matter and to my surprise, I did receive a reply. It was however not that informative, mainly blaming Covid-19 and the resultant lockdown for the delays and unworkable system. I was however pleased to hear from them that some of the slots to be released may be for Saturdays and Sundays, in the attempt to provide service to as many members of the public as possible. This is definitely a step in the right direction, but I have yet to see a Saturday or Sunday slot available.

While Covid-19 has understandably made the poor situation even worse, it is an unacceptable situation as there have been many complaints about the online booking system since it was first introduced – a long time prior to Covid-19.

My problem is that my license expired in early March and I had to obtain a temporary license as I was unable to get a slot. The extension of the validity of all driving licenses that expired between 26 March 2020 up to an including 31 August 2020, that are now deemed to be valid until 31 January 2021, does not help anyone who for example has a license that expired between 1 September and today (7 October) and for those that will expire from tomorrow (8 October), as the vast majority of those people will undoubtedly also be unable to get slots. In addition, the extension does not help people such as me who have licences that expired prior to 26 March 2020. Furthermore, there is going to be an even larger flood of people try to obtain slots as the end of January 2021 approaches. I cannot understand how the authorities expect SA citizens to tolerate this.

I have tried repeatedly on various days and at various times of the day, to obtain an online slot, but have yet to see single slot available anywhere in Gauteng. I have kept a record of all my attempts to obtain an online booking and I can supply you with a list of the dates and times if required, but for the sake of brevity I will refrain from doing so unless you would like me to send it to you.

I am therefore writing to you as the Minister of Transport as the current situation and arrangements are unacceptable, frustrating and a waste of time for so many people. The backlog of those needing slots must just be getting larger and larger.

Please advise how one is supposed to renew licences as there are obviously not enough slots for the number of applications and the amount of time and effort wasted is extremely frustrating?

Thank you.
Regards
Ray Webber