The implementation of 2025 Gauteng licence plates looks to be delayed yet again. Not that the public are unhappy about yet another unwanted money-making scheme from the Gauteng provincial government. This follows a full year of conflicting reports and missed deadlines for the 2025 Gauteng licence plates. While we still don’t know what they’ll look like, there are some key upgrades over existing number plates, reports AutoTrader.
For example, you’ll note the QR Code and South African flag identifiers. The United Nations code for South Africa is ‘ZA’ and we understand the plate material itself will be aluminium embossed. As before, 2025 Gauteng licence plates will remain the same size. A standardised 520 mm x 113 mm / 250 mm x 205 mm / 250 mm x 165 mm, depending on the vehicle. Furthermore, the current format (AA 11 AA GP) is not expected to change because there are enough alphanumerical combinations to last until 2038.
2025 GAUTENG LICENCE PLATES
For now, the 2025 Gauteng licence plates are going ahead with stress testing on government vehicle fleets (G-testing), confirmed Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela. Due to the in-built QR-code technology, prototypes of 2025 Gauteng licence plates require a host of hardware and software to be in place around the province.
Nevertheless, motorists are growing apathetic over the delayed 2025 Gauteng licence plates. Diale-Tlabela explained last year that the pilot project would last six months, taking us to February 2025. And here we are with yet more revised schedules. However, it’s not just Gauteng that’s affected. This pilot project encompasses a new cloud-based, integrating fleet management database for the entire National Traffic Information System (NATIS). When the plates go live, so does the system countrywide.
ONE YEAR AND COUNTING
As previously reported by The South African, this overhaul was already meant to take place last year, on 1 April 2024. However, it’s the Gauteng provincial government that look like ‘April fools’, unable to deliver on their promise of non-tamper-proof and anti-cloning licence plates. Divisive Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi (ANC) previously said the 2025 Gauteng licence plates would prevent 80% of hijackings, theft and crimes committed with stolen vehicles wearing falsified plates. So, for the sake of crime in the province, surely urgency is in order …
One major catch for motorists appears to be that they will not receive the new and improved 2025 Gauteng licence plates for free. Every road user will have to reregister for the privilege when they next renew their annual vehicle licence. Current plate pricing in Gauteng of R160 could increase to something in the region of R320 for the high-tech plate. And those who do not upgrade timeously will face fines.
WILL YOU GET A NEW LICENCE PLATE OR IS IT JUST ANOTHER MONEY-MAKING SCHEME?
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