Driver's Licence Delays: Transport department exploring interim solutions
This has resulted in delays, with a growing backlog of driver's licences waiting to be printed.
Picture: X/DoTransport
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Transport is still grappling with a crisis of producing driving licence cards due to a breakdown of the country's only printing machine.
This has resulted in delays, with a growing backlog of driver's licences waiting to be printed.
The department said it's exploring interim solutions to sustain operations while the old machine undergoes maintenance and repairs.
Temporary licences are being issued to mitigate the impact.
READ: Only licence card printing machine in SA still out of order
The department said the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) is working with the supplier in France to repair the malfunctioning equipment, anticipating a resolution in two to three weeks.
The incident has highlighted concerns about the department's infrastructure and procurement processes.
The latest tender process for new printing machines was flagged for irregularities, raising questions about the department's preparedness for future challenges.
Motorists are advised to carry their expired licences and apply for temporary ones.
The breakdown of the printing machine is the latest in a series of malfunctions that have plagued the licence application and renewal process.