How Much Is Drivers License Renewal In south Africa

What is Drivers License Renewal?

This is a mandatory process of renewing or validating a driver’s license every two years. Renewal dates are stated behind the license card.

All drivers’ license holders must renew or validate their licenses every two (2) years from the date of issue of the license.

How Much Is Drivers License Renewal In south Africa?

Cost:

There are no fines or penalties for late renewals!

KZN

  • as of 2025, the cost of renewal is R250 in cash.
  • Temporary licence cost is R90 cash.
  • The Mariannhill RTI in Pinetown, Durban has imposed a limit of ONLY 120 licence renewals per day. Thanks to Sandy for letting us know!

Johannesburg

  • Renewal costs in Bedfordview are R228.00 and payment is accepted either in cash or by credit card.
  • Temporary licence cost is R72 cash.
  • 2x black and white photos are required for renewal in Randburg.
  • The Edenvale licensing department now asks for a copy of your license when going to renew.
  • You have to pre-book at https://online.natis.gov.za which will have a list of all Gauteng RTI testing centres.

Pretoria

  • There is a new online booking system in Gauteng. You can access the service at https://online.natis.gov.za which will have a list of all Gauteng offices.

Cape Town

  • R185 and includes the temporary licence.

Mpumalanga

  • R185
  1. Go to your nearest DLTC with the following:
    • Identity document (ID) and a copy of your ID, old driving licence card or valid South African passport
    • Four black-and-white ID photographs (before you have photographs taken confirm with the DLTC how many photos they require)
    • Proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the of owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit. 
    • If you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address
    • Prescribed application fee.

Guides to renewing your driver’s licence In south Africa

In December 2025, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula tweeted that the validity of licences would be extended along with other permits, only to quietly delete his tweet when the extension wasn’t officially gazetted.

This incident, along with unclear and sometimes contradictory statements from the South African government and municipal licensing departments, has left South African motorists scratching their heads – but no need to worry, if you’ve lost your driving licence or need to renew, we’ve got all the facts to make it easier for you to get back on the road.

What is the real driver’s licence grace period?

Officially, if your learner’s licence, driver’s licence, temporary driver’s licence, or professional driving permit expired between 26 March 2025 and 31 December 2025, it will still be valid until 31 August 2025.

If your licence expires on or after 1 January 2025, the extension won’t apply to you. This grace period also doesn’t apply to licence discs, regardless of when they expired.

Will there be another extension?

In short, no one knows until the government officially gazettes another extension. If your driver’s licence expired on or after 1 January 2025, relying on another extension to buy you time to renew is a game of Russian roulette – so it’s best to renew as soon as possible.

Alright, I’m ready to renew. How do I do it?

Unfortunately, the renewals process has been mired in controversy, even before the pandemic.

The online booking system has been criticised as unstable and slow, with some areas reflecting that there are zero slots available for the foreseeable future. Added to that, there have been several protests in February and March this year at Gauteng testing centres.

Although renewing a driver’s licence is no one’s idea of a good time, it’s necessary to bite the bullet to avoid being fined or arrested. Here’s how:

  • According to communications from the Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC), you need to renew your driver’s licence card 4 weeks before it expires. If you begin the renewal process after it’s expired, you’ll have to apply for a temporary driving licence at your own cost.
  • Currently, only Gauteng and Eastern Cape residents can apply online via the National Traffic Information System (NATIS), where they’ll be able to book a slot and download the DL1 application form.
  • Residents of other provinces will need to go to their nearest DLTC and complete the DL1 application form in person.
  • Whether you’ve booked a slot through NATIS or will be going straight to the DLTC, you want to show up as early as possible – when queues are long, even those who have booked slots may be turned away.

What you need to take to the DLTC to renew

There’s nothing more soul-crushing than standing in a queue from 6 AM only to discover you’ve forgotten a vital document. Show up prepared, patient, and armed with a face mask and hand sanitiser. Don’t forget to bring a good book or top up your mobile data, so you’re entertained while you wait.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Your ID, old driving licence, or a valid South African passport, along with a certified copy of the identity document. All identity document copies can be certified at your nearest police station.
  • Four black-and-white ID photographs. It should be a clear head-and-shoulders photo where you face the camera directly without a smile – basically, it should look like a 1950s mugshot.
  • You may not wear glasses or hats and will need to check with your local DLTC for the rules around religious or cultural head coverings.
  • Proof of residential address. If your utilities statement isn’t in your name, the owner will have to sign an affidavit confirming you live at the address. Both the utilities statement and affidavit will need to be presented.
  • The application fee. This is usually between R288 – R240 for the license and another R228 for the issuing fee, but you should call ahead as prices can change without notice. Don’t forget to take cash to avoid the dreaded “system offline” payment hurdle.
  • If all goes according to plan, your licence will be ready for collection in 4 – 6 weeks.

What else you’ll need to do at the DLTC

  • Test your eyesight. You’ll want to bring sanitising spray or wipes for this, or you can get your eyes tested at your optometrist and take your results along.
  • Capture your fingerprint. Again, your spray or wipes will come in handy – unless you don’t mind sticking your fingers in the pink goo to clean the ink off, you brave soul.

Wait, what about my licence disc?

Unfortunately, there has been no extension for the grace period on licence discs, no matter when yours expired.

You can renew your licence disc through third parties (although these can be pricey!), you can do it yourself at your nearest Post Office, and some banks also offer a licence disc renewal service at selected branches.