South Africa’s only driving licence card printer has broken down again

Alderman JP Smith, City of Cape Town MMC for safety and security, says the city’s Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) received nearly 60,000 driver’s licence card applications in 2025, but not one has been issued.

Moreover, it could be some time before new driving licence cards are issued in South Africa, as the last time the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) experienced such a backlog, the machine had to be sent to Germany for repairs.

The Department of Transport’s contract to procure new driving licence printing machines, which was awarded to Idemia, is also in doubt.

In a statement, Smith said he was dismayed at the ongoing delays surrounding issuing new driving licences, adding that the city understands that the printing machine has broken down again.

“The City’s DLTCs have processed nearly 60,000 applications for new driving licences and Public Driving Permits (PrDPs) since the beginning of the year,” he said.

“To date, not a single had has been received for those applications from the DLCA in Pretoria.”

Smith is urging transport minister Barbara Creecy to act with haste to address the issue once and for all.

He explained that since repairs on the machine can only happen abroad, it is anyone’s guess as to when the driving licence card printer will return to service.

“We experienced the same issue at the start of 2022, and the fact that nothing has changed three years later, is an absolute indictment on those responsible,” said Smith.

Under the National Road Traffic Act, an expired driving licence card will remain valid for three months past its expiry date, provided the application for a new driving licence was submitted prior to the expiry date.

However, these motorists must keep their expired licence and proof of payment for their application handy in case they are pulled over.

“If the situation is not resolved within the three months, an application can be made for a temporary licence, which is valid for six months, or until the new driving licence card is issued,” said Smith.

However, motorists who fail to submit their renewal applications before their card expires will be charged R45 for a temporary licence.

A MyBroadband reader recently told us that they had applied to renew their licence at a DLTC in the Western Cape, only to be told that that centre, in particular, hadn’t issued any new cards in 2025.

Creecy raised alarm bells over the machine’s status in March 2025. She said a significant driving licence card production backlog was forcing DLTCs to issue temporary licences.

“It’s common knowledge that the existing machine is very old,” the minister said. “We are trying to enhance maintenance efforts so that it can resume printing.”

Her choice of “resume printing” suggested that the machine was again out of order. However, the Department of Transport has not confirmed the machine’s status.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) slammed the department for the production delays and demanded answers about why it isn’t operating despite receiving extensive maintenance.

“Motorists are once again being subjected to delays and inconvenience due to the ongoing failures of this outdated system,” said Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage.

“The Department must explain why the machine is not operational, despite previous repairs and maintenance contracts.”

Outa also took the opportunity to highlight the five-year validity period for driving licence cards in South Africa. It said the Department of Transport can no longer avoid extending it.

Outa has long advocated for an extension to 10 years, which it says will reduce administrative burden, mitigate backlogs, and reduce costs for both motorists and the government.

It highlighted that research it undertook in 2022 showed that many countries have already extended their validity periods to 10 years or more without compromising road safety.

Uncertainty over new printers

The Department of Transport awarded Idemia Identity and Security South Africa the contract to procure three new driving licence printing machines in August 2024.

However, the Auditor General for South Africa’s (AGSA) investigation into the bid evaluation processes for the tender revealed widespread irregularities.

As a result, Creecy instructed her department to approach the High Court for a declaratory order to cancel the tender following the AGSA’s investigation.

Despite the AGSA’s findings, Idemia told MyBroadband that it legitimately and lawfully won the tender.

“We believe we are the best in this field. We are fully committed to working hand in hand with the South African government to ensure that South Africans benefit from the most secure, reliable, and advanced driver’s licence solutions,” Idemia said.

“The result of the audit carried out by the AGSA highlights irregularities that we take very seriously.”

“While some of the findings pertain to matters beyond our scope, others directly concerning Idemia Smart Identity do not reflect the reality of our operations,” it added.

Creecy has since been advised not to cancel the tender with Idemia.

In late March 2025, the Department of Transport’s chief director of legal services, Advocate Adam Masombuka, warned that cancelling the tender would result in an interdict and a protracted review legal process.

He added that the route “can take years” as opposed to appointing the preferred bidder.

DoT’s chief director of legal services, Advocate Adam Masombuka, said cancelling the contract would result in an interdict and a protracted review legal process.

He says this route “can take years” as opposed to appointing the preferred bidder.