by Fred Nel MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport
Date: 16 March 2021 Release: immediate
Gauteng is experiencing a severe shortage of online booking slots for driving license renewals, learner license tests and driving license tests. This causes many instances of corruption where driving schools and members of the public bribe officials at licensing offices to reserve slots for them or inform them the moment slots are loaded on to the system.
As a result, law abiding citizens find very few slots available for them to book.
A further problem is the short periods for which slots are made available for bookings. So far, slots are only available for a week in advance.
This crisis requires a serious and immediate intervention by the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Jacob Mamabolo.
The DA calls on the MEC to conduct an immediate audit to determine how many slots are available per Driving License Testing Centre in the province, per day, and how many of these slots are actually made available for online bookings.
The DA further calls on the MEC to make slots available at least two months ahead so that more slots are available for drivers. It will also help to assist learner drivers whose permits might expire soon.
It is also critical that the MEC engages with the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, to extend the validity period of learner licenses to avoid unnecessary lapsing of these licenses leading to further pressure on the system due to re-writes.
This crisis requires immediate attention and can no longer be ignored as the delay in issuing of licenses has dire consequences for the province’s economy and the livelihoods of residents in the province.
Media Enquiries
Fred Nel MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport083 263 2427
