Will South Africa extend driver’s licence validity to eight years? What motorists need to know

South Africa is set to move away from its long-standing five-year driver’s licence validity period, with the Department of Transport confirming plans to extend licence cards to eight years. While the decision has been made at policy level, motorists will still need to renew their licences every five years until the new system is formally approved and implemented.

The confirmation came in early December 2025 when the department’s director-general, Mathabatha Mokonyama, briefed Parliament’s Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and the Minister in the Presidency. According to Mokonyama, internal processes around the extension have now been concluded, clearing the way for a longer validity period.

He explained that the department’s assessment showed overwhelming public support for the change. Motorists, he said, are frustrated by the need to return for renewal every five years, especially given administrative backlogs and recurring card shortages. The shift to an eight-year validity period is intended to reduce pressure on licensing centres while easing the burden on drivers.

Despite this confirmation, the current five-year rule remains in force. Department of Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi later clarified that while the decision to move to eight years is real, a cost-benefit analysis is still ongoing. This assessment, first announced by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, is meant to determine the financial and operational impact on the Driving Licence Card Account.

Creecy had previously signalled strong support for longer licence validity for ordinary motorists, while stressing that professional drivers should be treated differently. According to the minister, drivers of heavy vehicles or those transporting passengers should continue to renew their licences more frequently due to the higher risks associated with their work. For everyday drivers, however, she described an eight-year licence as both reasonable and favourable.

Although the department appears committed to the transition, the project is already behind schedule. Officials initially planned to publish a notice in the Government Gazette during the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year to invite public comment. That notice has yet to appear, placing the department’s timeline under pressure.

This delay could affect plans to table the proposed changes before Parliament in the fourth quarter of the year. Even once the proposal reaches Parliament, the legislative process means that actual implementation may still be some distance away. For now, motorists should not expect immediate changes at licence renewal centres.

The proposed extension would bring South Africa closer in line with international norms. A comparison with more than 30 countries shows that South Africa’s five-year validity period is among the shortest globally. Only a handful of countries, including Egypt and Kenya, issue licences with shorter validity periods.

In many countries, licences are valid for 10 years or more. European nations such as Germany, France, and Norway issue licences valid for up to 15 years, while countries like India allow validity periods of up to 20 years depending on age. Others, including Singapore and Switzerland, do not impose expiry dates until motorists reach a certain age.

Age-based restrictions are common internationally, with shorter validity periods or medical assessments required for older drivers. Japan, for example, reduces licence validity once drivers reach 70, while the United Kingdom and several European countries require more frequent renewals for senior motorists.

Against this backdrop, South Africa’s move to an eight-year licence appears conservative rather than radical. Supporters argue that it would modernise the system, reduce queues, and cut costs for both the state and drivers. Critics, however, have raised questions about road safety oversight and whether medical assessments should play a greater role.

For now, the message from government is clear: change is coming, but not yet. Until the legal process is completed, South Africans must continue renewing their driver’s licences every five years.

FAQ

Is South Africa changing driver’s licence validity to eight years?

Yes. The Department of Transport has confirmed plans to extend driver’s licence validity from five to eight years, although implementation has not yet begun.

Are driver’s licences already valid for eight years?

No. Licences in South Africa remain valid for five years until the new policy is officially approved and implemented.

Why does the government want to extend licence validity?

The department says motorists prefer longer validity periods and that the change could reduce administrative pressure on licensing centres.

Will professional drivers also get eight-year licences?

Not necessarily. Government has indicated that drivers of heavy vehicles or passenger transport may still need more frequent renewals.

When will the eight-year licence system start?

There is no confirmed start date. The process still requires public consultation and parliamentary approval.