Government confirms 8-year driver's licences

THE validity period for driving licences in South Africa is set to increase from five years to eight, in a long-mooted move that has been welcomed by motorists and lobby groups.

- JASON WOOSEY

Director-General Mathabatha Mokonyana confirmed this last week while briefing Parliament's Select Committee on Public Infrastructure.

“We have just concluded, although it took a little bit of time, the issue around extending the validity period of the driver's licence card from five to eight years,’ he told the committee.

The decision was made following a detailed assessment, which found that South Africans favour a longer validity period.