South Africa’s Cabinet has approved a major change to how often ordinary motorists need to renew their driving licence cards — stretching the validity period from five years to ten. Here’s what’s actually changed, who it applies to, and what drivers should do in he meantime.
What Cabinet approved
On 30 July 2026, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced that Cabinet had approved extending the validity of driving licences for codes A, A1, B and EB from five years to ten. That covers motorcycles and the ordinary passenger-vehicle licence most South Africans hold. The change forms part of a wider set of amendments to the National Road Traffic Act, alongside a revised National Road Safety Strategy for 2026–2030.
Government’s stated reasoning is that the longer cycle brings South Africa closer to international norms, cuts administrative strain, and eases the demand pressure on licensing centres that have struggled with queues and processing delays.
It hasn’t taken effect yet
This is the part easiest to miss: Cabinet approval is not the same as a change in the law. The extension still needs legislative amendments to the National Road Traffic Regulations, and Parliament must debate and pass the changes before they apply. Only once Parliament approves the amendments will the Department of Transport announce a start date for the new validity period.
Until then, motorists whose cards are expiring must keep renewing under the existing five-year cycle. Nothing about a currently valid licence is automatically extended by this announcement.
Who the extension applies to — and who it doesn’t
| Category | Change |
|---|---|
| Code A, A1 (motorcycles) | Extended from 5 to 10 years |
| Code B (standard passenger vehicle) | Extended from 5 to 10 years |
| Code EB | Extended from 5 to 10 years |
| Heavy commercial vehicles | Unchanged — stays on existing 2- or 5-year cycle |
| Public transport vehicles | Unchanged — stays on existing 2- or 5-year cycle |
| Professional Driving Permits (PrDP) | Unchanged — stays on 2-year renewal cycle |
| Vehicle licence disc (windscreen disc) | Not affected — this is separate from the driving licence card and still renews annually |
How we got here
The idea isn’t new. Former Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula asked the Road Traffic Management Corporation to study extending validity back in 2022. That study reportedly supported an eight-year extension, but the plan was shelved under his successor before resurfacing. The 10-year period Cabinet has now approved is two years longer than the eight-year figure originally proposed. Government has also pointed to an independent review that found no evidence that renewing licence cards every five years does anything to improve road safety.
What this means for you right now
- If your licence is due for renewal, renew it as normal — the five-year rule still applies until the law changes.
- Don’t assume an expiring card is covered by the new rule; nothing has been backdated or automatically extended.
- Watch for an official announcement from the Department of Transport once Parliament passes the amendments — that’s when an actual start date will be confirmed.
- If you hold a licence for a heavy vehicle, public transport, or a Professional Driving Permit, this change won’t affect your renewal cycle at all.
FAQ
Is the 10-year driving licence already in effect?
No. Cabinet has only approved the proposal. It still needs Parliament to pass amendments to the National Road Traffic Act before it becomes law.
Do I still need to renew my licence if it’s expiring soon?
Yes. Until the new law takes effect, the existing five-year renewal cycle still applies to everyone.
Which licence codes does the extension cover?
Codes A, A1 (motorcycles), B (standard passenger vehicles), and EB.
Does this affect my vehicle licence disc?
No. The vehicle licence disc — the round windscreen document — is separate from your driving licence card and still renews annually.
Will truck or taxi drivers get the 10-year period too?
No. Heavy commercial and public transport vehicles remain on their existing two- or five-year renewal cycles, and Professional Driving Permits stay on a two-year cycle.
When will the new rule actually start?
There’s no confirmed date yet. The Department of Transport will announce a start date only after Parliament approves the legislative amendments.
Why is government making this change?
Officials say it aligns South Africa with international practice, reduces the administrative burden on motorists, and eases pressure on licensing centres — and cite a review that found no road-safety benefit to renewing every five years.
The bottom line
The 10-year driving licence is real, but it’s a Cabinet-approved plan, not yet the law. Keep renewing on the current five-year schedule until the Department of Transport confirms an official start date, and don’t let anyone — official-looking message or otherwise — convince you an expiring card is already covered by the new rule.