Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, has confirmed that the government is seriously considering extending the validity of standard driving licences from the current five-year cycle to eight years. But before truckers start celebrating, she made it clear that the change will not apply to heavy-duty and public-transport drivers.
Creecy was speaking during a sitting of the National Council of Provinces on 4 November 2025, where she said the department has already completed a study recommending that normal motorists should enjoy an eight-year licence period.
According to the minister, the research highlighted that people driving vehicles that carry passengers, or trucks capable of causing severe crashes if something goes wrong, need stricter renewal intervals to ensure roadworthiness and health standards remain in check.
“People driving heavy vehicles or passengers should be renewing every two years,” Creecy said. “For ordinary citizens, the suggestion was eight years, and we view it favourably.”
She added that extending validity affects the Driving Licence Card Account, which depends heavily on renewal fees for revenue. Before making any final call, the department is crunching numbers to understand the financial impact. Creecy stressed that government cannot blindly take a decision without knowing the consequences.
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The idea is not new. In its 2025/26 performance plan, the Transport Department outlined a roadmap to engage with the executive council, MECs, and other stakeholders, followed by publishing proposed changes for public comment. None of these stages have been officially concluded, and no Gazette notice has appeared.
Former Minister Fikile Mbalula made similar promises back in 2022 when he vowed to move to eight-year licences, but that plan stalled.
For now, it’s another wait-and-see moment. If approved, everyday motorists may finally get relief from queues and expired licences, while truckers, bus drivers and taxi operators will need to keep renewing every two years, same as always.
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