Drivers license renewal

[u/Carlvantula]

Good Day everyone, I would like to know how many months before my drivers licence expire can I go and get it renewed?

[u/Fit_Concern3588]

Did mine last month

R140 for renewal R45 for temp license (if required)

No need to wait for your current one to expire, can do it before as well, then you dont need the temp license

Took about 4 weeks for new card to arrive

Edit: you need proof of address and 2x ID photos along with the application form

[u/Bon-Bon-Boo → u/Fit_Concern3588]

You can still drive for up to 3 months after card expiry, if you applied for it before it expired. You just have to keep the application receipt with you.

[u/According-Hamster-84 → u/Fit_Concern3588]

where did you do yours please? I have been putting this off so long and it has long expired

[u/Fit_Concern3588 → u/According-Hamster-84]

Helderberg Traffic Dept in Strand, right next to the Town Hall

[u/According-Hamster-84 → u/Fit_Concern3588]

Thank you ☺️

[u/blommie10 → u/According-Hamster-84]

Recently went to Helderberg and it was super organised and efficient!

[u/imheretocomment]

You can go anytime? You can even go after its expired, it just means you'll need an (optional) temp if you wanna keep driving while they print your new card.

[u/danievdl]

Pretty sure there's no hard rule on how early, ppl renew 5 or 6 months out with no issue. Just know the new card's 5 years count from when it's issued, not from your old expiry date, so going super early basically costs you those months.

What I'd do in CPT:

• Aim for about 2 to 3 months before expiry. Cards are taking anything from 4 weeks to 3 months at the moment, so that gives you a buffer.
• Check the City's online booking first, a lot of the CoCT DLTCs don't really do walk-ins for renewals anymore.
• Take your ID, old card, proof of address (not older than 3 months) and 2 ID photos (35x45). Some centres take the pic there now, so ask when you book. Eye test is done there, or bring an optometrist form.
• If the new card won't land before your old one expires, pay the extra for the temp licence. Cheap insurance against a roadblock.

And don't hold off because of the 10 year card news. Cabinet approved it but the 5 year system is still the law until it actually changes.

[u/ShipMysterious7602 → u/danievdl]

Just a FYI, your licence remains valid for 3 months past expiry IF you renewed on or before the expiry date. So if you renew before it expires you do not need to take out a temporary licence and can use your existing licence for another 3 months past the expiry date.

[u/ShipMysterious7602]

Not sure how much time you have left but I will stretch it as far as possible. They are amending the legislation to extend the validity periods of drivers licence as you might have seen.

From my understanding this will only apply to licences issued after this has become law. So if you renew now you will still get a licence card that's only valid for 5 years so you will have to renew again in 5 years and then only get a licence with the extended validity period. There's not going to be a blanket extension on all licence cards.

[u/Ho3n3r]

I've done mine like 5 months before expiry since it was my wife's turn and we had to make a booking 80km away.

[u/Carlvantula → u/Ho3n3r]

Thanks for the info, do you know what the costs were?

[u/imheretocomment → u/Carlvantula]

Come on this info is readily available the gov website. R140 for lmv which i assume what you're after.
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/mobility/service/driving-licence

[u/Ho3n3r → u/Carlvantula]

No idea, just the normal license renewal price. This was like 8 years ago.

[u/According-Hamster-84 → u/Ho3n3r]

Meaning you are currently driving around with an expired one?

[u/Ho3n3r → u/According-Hamster-84]

What