South Africans Face Frustrating Driver’s License Backlog as Aging Printing Machine Breaks Down Again
A growing crisis has left over 700,000 South African motorists stranded in a driver’s license backlog as the country’s sole license-printing machine continues to break down. The 27-year-old machine, in operation since 1998, stopped working once again in April, deepening delays that have already been a headache for motorists since January.
Aged Machine Struggles to Meet Demand
The machine, which can only process a limited 19,000 licenses per day, has been unable to keep up with the increasing demand, leaving hundreds of thousands of South Africans waiting for their driver’s license cards. Even when functional, it could take up to 70 days to clear the backlog, creating a growing sense of frustration among affected drivers.
A Mounting Financial Burden
The Department of Transport, under the leadership of Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, has spent a staggering R11 million on repairs and overtime since 2022, but the machine continues to falter. With 129 days of non-functionality during this period, it’s clear that temporary fixes are not enough to resolve the ongoing problem.
Minister Creecy has acknowledged the crisis, explaining that repairs to the aging machine must be conducted overseas, though she could not provide a clear timeline for when it will be fully operational again. This uncertainty has left South African motorists in a precarious position, unable to access the essential licenses they need to drive legally.
What Motorists Can Do Amid the Crisis
As the backlog continues to grow, the Department of Transport is urging affected motorists to carry proof of application for their driver’s license to avoid facing fines for expired licenses or temporary permits. However, this temporary solution is far from ideal, leaving many South Africans feeling stuck and increasingly concerned about their ability to drive legally.
The ongoing license backlog has become yet another example of South Africa’s struggle with infrastructure and service delivery, as an outdated machine and lack of timely solutions continue to hold drivers hostage. With no clear resolution in sight, motorists are left hoping for a permanent fix to the broken system that has created this massive inconvenience.
As the crisis persists, all eyes will remain on the Department of Transport and Minister Creecy to see if a more reliable solution can be found to resolve this deeply frustrating situation for South African drivers.
