Are you nervous about driving around with an expired license? Let’s chat about why you don’t need to worry that much!
Even the mere thought of bureaucratic admin in South Africa is enough to give anybody a headache. Queues, load shedding, lunch breaks that seem to last the whole day… you know the drill.
So, what a relief it is to know that you don’t need to rush if your driver’s license is about to expire – or even if it’s expired already!
Your card expires, not your driver’s license
For whatever reason, a lot of people think that it’s the license that expires. If that were the case, you would have to redo your entire driver’s license test (gosh, remember that?). When your license card expires, this means that it no longer serves as valid proof that you hold a driver’s license. (However, it is still recommended that you only drive with a valid license card with you.)
When you renew your card you will not be expected to undergo a driving license test.
The rules are different for your vehicle license
Your vehicle license, on the other hand, does not have the same leniency. Your vehicle license is a symbol that your car is legally allowed on the roads. It’s like a stamp of approval that your car is roadworthy.
If your car license is about to expire or has expired, you need to renew it ASAP. For each month that your car’s expired license goes unrenewed, you pay a monthly fine. You may as well drive down the highway, roll your window down and throw out a couple of thousand rands.
Read more about how to renew your car license.
What does it cost to renew my expired license?
Whether your license has been expired for a decade or for a day, it’s going to cost you the exact same to replace it (inflation excluded). The rate differs from province to province, but it is approximately R250 for a new card approximately R100 for a temporary license.
The cost doesn’t rise the longer your card has been expired, unlike your vehicle license. If your license has been lost or stolen, you will need to pay for a temporary driver’s license to show to authorities if you get pulled over. It isn’t necessary to get a temporary license if you still have your old driver’s card – this will suffice as proof that you are a registered driver.
Renewing is important for car insurance
Just in case you’re getting a little too excited about cancelling your early morning trip to the licencing department, you need to know this.
Most car insurance policies will require that your driver’s license is up to date and has not gone past its expiry date. This doesn’t mean you will get booted off your policy, but it does mean your claim may be rejected if you are in an accident.
You can find more information about rejected car insurance claims here on our blog: “Why was my car claim rejected?”.
The driver’s license renewal checklist
If you do need to go and renew your expired license, there are a few documents you need to get in order. If you’re looking for some advice, try and take a drive to one of the quieter licencing departments. That often means driving further but it can save you a lot of time in long queues. You should also book online before going to renew your license card.
You do not have to renew your driver’s license at the same department you did your test.
The last thing you need is to get to the front of the line and realise you’ve forgotten an important document. Because you will be sent back home to fetch it or to local offices to get photos taken and papers printed. Not ideal.
Remember to take the following documents with you (according to the NaTIS website):
- A duly completed form DL1
- Identification (ID) document and Certified copy of the ID document (for filing purposes)
- Four photographs (same format as that required for ID documents)
- The card issuing fee
Top tip: Get your eye test done with your optometrist beforehand and skip the line to get your eyes tested at the department. This must be done by a recognised optometrist, and you must bring the original signed document.
At the end of the day, it’s important to stay on top of your documents but also remember your rights should a policeman try to fine you for an expired license!
Yours in hassle-free car insurance,
Oneplan
