South Africa’s licence card printer is finally back, but here’s why you’ll still be waiting.
The only driving licence card printing machine is finally up and running again after a three-month breakdown, the Department of Transport confirmed on Thursday, 8 May.
The outage, which began on 5 February, created a crippling backlog of over 747,700 unprinted driving licence cards, leaving hundreds of thousands of South African drivers stuck in limbo.
Gov extends working hours to tackle licence
In a bid to tackle the backlog, the Department of Transport announced extended operating hours at the Driving Licence Card Agency (DLCA). Officials aim to fast-track production and reduce the overwhelming number of pending cards.
“With the current catch-up plan, updates on the backlog reduction will be provided as and when significant progress is made,” the department stated.
However, they cautioned that daily incoming orders continue to slow progress, and delays will persist in areas with the highest backlog volumes.
One ancient machine – 160+ breakdowns
South Africa relies on a single licence card printing machine—a 26-year-old relic that has broken down more than 160 times. As expected, these breakdowns have become more frequent, causing major disruptions nationwide.
Despite attempts to introduce new, secure smart cards and modern printers through a national upgrade initiative, bureaucratic delays and tender issues have brought the project to a halt.
Where ;licence delays are hitting the hardest
If you’re waiting for a licence card, brace yourself—some provinces are bearing the brunt of the backlog:
Gauteng: 252,745 cards
KwaZulu-Natal: 115,020 cards
Western Cape: 108,402 cards
Mpumalanga: 66,833 cards
Limpopo: 61,769 cards
Eastern Cape: 55,393 cards
North West: 39,983 cards
Free State: 33,741 cards
Northern Cape: 13,862 cards
These numbers highlight the scale of the crisis and underline the urgency for a complete overhaul of South Africa’s licence printing infrastructure.
What drivers should do now
While the government works to clear the backlog, South Africans are urged to apply for temporary driving licences. These will remain valid while permanent cards are being processed.
The wait might be long, but there’s hope on the horizon. Still, without new equipment and faster processes, South Africans could face similar chaos again.
Stay tuned with The South African as South Africa’s licence card printer is finally back.
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