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Cape Town - Earlier in November, Wheels24 reported that the proof of residence is now required for renewing vehicle and driver licences in South Africa.
Given that December is the "busy period" for most administrations in the country, the city of Cape Town warns that it won't send you a notice if your car licence is set to expire on November 30.
City issues warning
According to the city: "The City of Cape Town has said that motorists whose vehicle licence discs expire on November 30 2015 and are renewable by December 22 2015 and those whose discs expire on 31 December 2015 and are renewable by January 22 2016 will NOT be receiving renewal notices."
Check your renewal date
The City of Cape Town asks drivers to act proactively and to check the renewal date on their existing licence disc to ensure that necessary arrangements are made, and to renew discs online where possible.
Road users are also reminded that the National Department of Transport’s new requirements apply - proof of residence is required when renewing a vehicle licence disc.
Read: New car licence rules for SA: This might irk you...
Busy period
Cape Town's executive deputy mayor Alderman Ian Neilson said: "It is currently the busiest time of the year for our municipal offices, which include our motor vehicle registration centres.
"This, coupled with the additional requirements and also the lack of renewal notices, is affecting the turnaround time per customer. Motorists and other customers may also experience longer queues than what is the norm.
Neilson added: "We are doing everything in our power to ease any inconvenience to our residents, including deploying additional staff and moving staff between offices as hot spots arise."
Need to renew your car licence? Top 5 questions answered
Proof of address includes, among others, a utility bill issued by the municipality, and a telephone account or retail store account (provided that it is not older than three months). For a full list of acceptable documents that constitute proof, residents can visit the Western Cape Government website.
How it works
The new requirements entail the provision of proof of a person’s particulars (full names and identity document) and the residential and postal address for verification when:
• there is a change of the person’s particulars or change of address
• when an application is made for a national traffic information system (NaTIS) service at the City’s motor vehicle registration offices or at a driving licence testing centre. This would include, amongst others, applying for a driving licence, applying for the renewal of a driving licence, applying for a learner’s licence, applying for vehicle licence disc, renewing a vehicle licence disc, and registering a vehicle
If drivers are applying for their discs online, they are required to scan their proof of residence and identity documentation and to send it as an attachment to the online application.
City responds to frequently asked questions:
1. The problem of drivers not receiving renewal notices did not arise in the City Council processes but the City "has done everything in its power to mitigate the consequences resulting from the lack of renewal notices."
2. The transfer of the electronic national administration traffic information system (eNaTIS) between the National Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Management Centre (RTMC) has affected renewal notices across the country and continues to do so.
3. As a courtesy, the RTMC (which is a national agency) has in the past posted renewal notices approximately six weeks before vehicle licence renewals are due, but it "remains the duty of the vehicle owner to renew the licence before it expires."
4. The new regulations pertaining to the provision of, amongst others, proof of residence, have not been instituted by the City. It is a regulation as per National legislation which the City is bound to enforce.
Have you faced any issues when renewing your licence? Emailus and we'll publish your comments.
