OUTA Demands Transparency on Driver's Licence Card Delays and Validity Period

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is calling for greater transparency and accountability from the South African Department of Transport concerning the driver's licence card system. South African drivers face uncertainty as Advocate Stefanie Fick, OUTA's Executive Director, expresses concern about the concealment of potentially "problematic activities."

According to OUTA, multiple issues need to be addressed urgently: why the procurement of a new driver's licence card machine has been delayed for over a year; why the Department has opted against extending the validity period of licence cards; the reasoning behind the department's calculation of licence fees and their distribution, as well as whether the procurement plan for the new machine is contingent upon maintaining the current five-year validity.

OUTA highlights a lack of cooperation from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA), despite attempts to engage with them on these subjects over the years.

While driver licences themselves do not expire, the cards currently do after five years. Despite discussions and research into potentially extending this period - with previous statements by former Minister Fikile Mbalula suggesting an increase to eight years - the current stance remains unchanged at a five-year period. This decision contrasts with OUTA's recommendation, based on international best practices, which points toward a ten-year validity period.

OUTA's requests for information, via the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), have been rebuffed by the RTMC. In November 2022, the RTMC denied OUTA access to the research report on the viability of extending the licence card validity period, arguing that disclosure of the research could not occur prematurely.

Fick strictly criticizes the RTMC's stance, suggesting that the entity's financial interests could unduly influence the ultimate decision, which rests with the Minister of Transport. Extending the card validity, OUTA argues, would benefit the public by saving money and reducing the time spent navigating a system plagued by inefficiencies and corruption. A regulation change, which the Transport Minister can effectuate, is all that is needed to extend the validity period.

OUTA has advocated for this change since September 2020, providing the then Minister Mbalula with research from 32 countries supporting their position. Yet, the plea for improved efficiency and cost-saving measures remains unheeded, leaving many to wonder about the transparency of the processes and decisions within the Department of Transport and its entities.