The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is in the process of developing an updated online driver licence system for SA. Reportedly, this should improve service delivery significantly.
The RTMC proposes that drivers should be allowed to make online payments for the renewal of driving licence cards or vehicle licence disks. The idea is to have these documents then be delivered directly to each person. This will improve efficiency as members of the public won’t need to spend time queuing at licencing centres.
“This will improve service delivery, cut the time spent on queues at the licencing centres and bring about much-needed convenience to members of the public and other stakeholders.”
According to the RTMC, they are also developing other online services that are expected to reduce queuing.
“To further streamline services, it is proposed that the registration of a vehicle by a title owner and the notification of change of ownership will in future be done online. Insurance companies will also be able to access an electronic copy of an accident report. Members have called for these improvements, and they are in line with the new way of doing business in the digital era in which we live.”
Confusion around online licence fees
After the RTMC released comments regarding the new licence fees last week, members of the public started questioning it.
The RTMC was criticised for “trying to exploit the online booking system for cash”. This allegation was made after announcing that an R250 “booking fee” will be applicable for the new system.
Members of the public were concerned that the booking fee would be charged on top of the normal licence fee. This fee varies from province to province.
However, the corporation said that this was a misinterpretation and the fee has always been paid for licence renewal.
“It is money paid for the production of the credit card format driving licence. The proposed change seeks to make it convenient for driving licence cardholders to make this payment online when making a booking to renew driving licence cards. It is therefore not new, and it is not an additional fee.”
There are still some key questions that remain unanswered by the RTMC, however. For example, will the new online booking fee override the licence renewal fees set up by different provincial governments? Also, will the fee be forfeited or refunded when a booking is made and then cancelled?