Race to clear 733 000 licence backlog

THE Transport Department is racing against time to wipe out backlogs totalling more than 700 000 outstanding driving licence cards to be printed after its printing machine broke down in February, when its electronic cards were damaged.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Responding to sets of parliamentary questions from parliamentarians from Rise Mzansi, EFF and MK Party, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said the driver's licence card machine has now been fixed and is currently dealing with the backlog of driving licence cards that must be printed.

“As of 15 May 2025, the backlog count is estimated at 733,000 cards,’ said Creecy.

The backlog was down from 747 748 outstanding cards recorded on May 2.

The machine has had major breakdowns totalling 129 days from 2022/23 to date, with only 38 days recorded in the current financial year alone.