Here’s when 10-year driving licences come into effect in SA

It’s good news for motorists, with 10-year driving licences finally going ahead in South Africa. The Department of Transport (DOT) has gazetted the proposed extension to driving licence cards for public comment, marking a major step forward for the long-awaited change.

Under the newly gazetted laws, driving licence cards for codes A, A1, B and EB will be valid for 10 years. This is from the date they are ordered and produced at the card-production facility. Meanwhile, codes C1, C, EC1 and EC licences will remain valid for only five years from the date of production.

10-YEAR DRIVING LICENCES IN SA

Perhaps more importantly for motorists, the gazette also confirms the fate of current cards. Existing codes A1, A, B and EB licence cards issued for five years will remain valid until a new card becomes available. As ever, these cards will lapse three months after their original expiry date if not replaced. So, unless lost or stolen, you must wait till your current card runs out.

Moreover, the gazetting for public comment runs for 30 days from the date of publication. Therefore, 10-year driving licences are not yet in effect and still require a few final legislative amendments. Only once the comment period is closed can the DOT move to implement any necessary changes.

RUNNING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

The gazette follows confirmation from Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, at the end of July 2026 that Cabinet had approved the extension. Furthermore, the process is moving faster than the department’s own targets. Initially, 10-year driving licences were earmarked in the DOT’s short- and medium-term goals in April 2026, targeting Cabinet approval only in March 2027. However, the target was met some eight months early.

Officials had initially planned to change licence validity by 2028, but the timeline has since accelerated significantly, too. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) says the 10-year validity period could be fast-tracked even further. “If the Minister of the Presidency really wanted to, it could be fast-tracked in the next couple of months. However, the swift move to public consultation suggests the department is accelerating rather than stalling this time around,” OUTA said.

But what do you think? Are you excited about 10-year driving licences in SA? Are you happy to wait till your existing licence runs out? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …