Online bookings and renewals are now a possibility with the online driving licence services which have just been launched across South Africa. The Road Traffic Management Corporation has also introduced online payments through the government’s Natis online booking system, making it easier and safer to make your online booking. This has been announced in a statement on Tuesday (8 February) by the RTMC.
“These developments form part of measures designed in response to the Covid-19 virus outbreak where the government has imposed strict regulations to curb the spread by encouraging members of the public to avoid crowded areas and maintain social distancing,” it said.
“The absence of online payments made it impossible for South Africans to renew their licences without physically going to Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs). The introduction of online payments means that one can avoid long queues and simply renew online, make a payment and opt for home delivery.”
Here are the available online driving licence services:
Online vehicle licence renewals
Individuals and corporates will be able to register their accounts online. Thereafter they will pay the required amount for a vehicle disk renewal online.
This payment will be allocated against their account. Once the payment is concluded, the vehicle licence disc will either be posted or couriered to the owner of the vehicle at an additional fee.
Online driver licence card renewals
Motorists will soon be able to renew and pay the prescribes fee online prior to presenting themselves at licensing centres for fingerprints, photos and eye tests.
Online registration and notice of change of vehicle ownership
Participating financial institutions will be able to register vehicles online (as titleholders), this will eliminate the process of registering at a registering authority.
The online vehicle registration fee will be levied on all registrations performed by financial institutions, motor dealers, insurance companies and large fleet operators.
The online registration function will allow an approved entity the ability to register a vehicle to themselves as a titleholder.
This online registration and release of titleholder function will allow identified institutions to record the event in real-time and ensure that the integrity of NaTIS information is enhanced and maintained. The process is also fully automated representing a significant saving in costs for the old and new titleholders.
Payment for online crash report
In September 2019, the RTMC developed the Online Crash Reporting Application which allows members of the public to report minor crashes online without having to visit a South African Police Services (SAPS) station.
This platform also allows members of the public to retrieve their own crash information and the same applies to insurance companies.
Unfortunately, South African citizens are still unable to book Learners License or Drivers License appointments on this new system.