Dear SA has reported strong public backing for extending South Africa’s driving licence validity period from five to ten years.
Public comments gathered through the organisation’s legally recognised public participation platform demonstrates widespread approval among citizens who are eager for a permanent solution to systemic administrative hurdles, severe backlogs, and recurring equipment failures.
Feedback indicates that the overwhelming majority of early participants fully support the proposed ten-year extension. Most respondents highlighted that lengthening the validity period will substantially ease operational pressure on driving licence testing centres and resolve chronic underlying bottlenecks.
In addition to administrative relief, respondents also advocated for legal protections during processing delays, with a significant portion arguing that motorists should remain legally permitted to drive if their renewals are delayed by bureaucratic failures such as government equipment breakdowns, such as card printer breakdowns.
Alongside the strong public backing, important policy questions regarding road safety remain. Concerns have been raised that a decade-long gap between mandatory eye examinations and health evaluations could allow physical impairments to deteriorate unnoticed, while exclusions for passenger-carrying drivers, who remain restricted to a shorter renewal cycle, highlight the need for careful regulatory balance.
Navigating these complex policy considerations highlights the vital role of civic engagement in shaping practical, well-considered legislation.
“Dear SA exists to digitise public participation and make it easier for ordinary South Africans to engage with laws and policies that affect their daily lives,” said Chloe Castle, CEO of Dear SA.
“Instead of taking time off work to attend in-person hearings, people can review proposals online and submit their views directly to government. The proposed amendment to extend driver’s licence validity is a prime example of citizens making their voices heard on practical legislation before it passes.”
As a non-profit, non-partisan organisation dedicated to facilitating transparent public participation, Dear SA enables citizens to directly influence legislative processes without the barrier of attending physical hearings. With the draft gazette remaining open for public comment until the upcoming September 19th deadline, South Africans are encouraged to review the proposal and submit their official feedback through Dear SA’s online platform at dearsouthafrica.co.za.
Media Enquiries
Lebogang Serapelwane
073 063 4607
About Dear SA:
Influence government policy before implementation: Dear South Africa is a legally recognised and constitutionally protected non-profit platform which enables the public to co-shape all government policies, amendments and proposals. We’ve run many successful campaigns and have amassed a considerably large active participant network of over 1 million individuals across the country and beyond.
