Fees, fines for expired driving licences eliminated

THE Transport Department has bowed to pressure from advocacy groups by waiving fees associated with temporary driving licence cards and halting penalties for motorists caught driving with expired licences.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

The decision comes as many motorists find themselves awaiting the renewal of their driving licences amidst significant backlogs in production after the department's card printing machine broke down in February.

The lobby group, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, has been arguing that fining motorists who are still waiting for their renewed card licences was unfair.

Minister Barbara Creecy said the backlog stood at 635976 as at June 23, down from 733000 when its card production machine became operational in May.