Gauteng motorists turned into criminals by transport department and RTMC

8 July 2021

Gauteng motorists are finding it impossible to obtain driver's license renewal slots in the province due to the online booking system on e-Natis being a mess. This means that many motorists have to drive without valid license cards, making themselves vulnerable to fines as well as their vehicle insurance being invalid. This situation has been brought about by the ineptness of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the RTMC who manages online bookings through the e-Natis system.

On 3 December 2020 I wrote to the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, the Minister for Transport and the CEO of the RTMC with a range of possible solutions to address the situation. I only received an acknowledgement from the MEC but no feedback from any of them.

The solutions I proposed were as follows:

A further extension for driver license holders for all licenses that expire during 2020 to be extended to 31 December 2021.

Allow special after-hours and weekend services for PrDP applicants.

Allow Gauteng drivers to renew their driver licenses anywhere in the country.

Immediately allow Gauteng motorists to renew licenses at the following surrounding towns: Emalahleni, Delmas, Leandra, Evander, Secunda, Balfour, Sasolburg, Parys, Ventersdorp, Hartbeespoort, Brits, Bela-Bela, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Standerton.

Provide for online applications where drivers can pay their application fees and fill out all forms electronically before visiting a DLTC.

Allow for applicants submitting eye tests for the tests to be evaluated in their absence (e.g. after-hours) and that they must only be called for another visit (eye test) if the eye test submitted is unsatisfactory.

Increase the number of eye testers at DTLC’s to provide a quicker service and to accommodate more slots daily.

Reduce the response time to repair eye testing machines.

Allow reputable chains and practices (e.g. optometrists, banks, supermarkets, etc.) to provide the renewal of driver licenses on an agency basis.

Conduct an audit into whether all available slots are being communicated to the RTMC by license testing centres and whether all slots provided to the RTMC is indeed logged onto the Natis system.

Allow for the booking system to prioritise licenses that are overdue for renewal.

Extend the term for driver license renewals to a longer term (e.g. to 7 or 10 years).

With the introduction of the AARTO system automatic assessments can be made of a driver.

In April there was a brief moment of excitement when the MEC announced a number of interventions that were to be launched. Almost all these interventions were a copy and paste exercise from my letter.

Ever since his announcements, nothing was implemented, and the crisis is deepening by the day. This situation can no longer persist, and the crisis need to be resolved as a matter of urgency.

I call on the MEC, the Minister of Transport and the CEO of the RTMC to move forward with the DA's proposed solutions and the MEC's announcements.

I will continue conducting investigations, together with my national counterpart, to pin down where the cause of the problem lies, since those in charge clearly have no interest in resolving the crisis. I will also request a debate on the matter in the Gauteng Legislature and for a report on the matter to be submitted to the Legislature Portfolio Committee for Roads and Transport.

Issued by Fred Nel, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport, 8 July 2021