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• Lockdown expired vehicle licences have been given another extension to 22 September.
• It's important to note the extension does not apply to all expired vehicle licences.
• Please try to renew your vehicle licence before the new deadline.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
Earlier in August, it was announced that an additional grace period of three weeks had been given to those with lockdown-expired vehicle licences. The new extended deadline is 22 September; however, there are terms and conditions, which means this extension is not for all motorists.
I am also a bit concerned because so many of our readers believe there is still a 90-day grace period AFTER the September deadline. It is incredibly important to note that this extension was only for vehicle licences which expired during the period of 26 March and 31 May 2020.
Motorists also need to understand that vehicle licences need to be renewed at least three or four weeks before the actual expiry date, that way no extra charges would be incurred. Motorists could also apply for their driver's or learner's licence at least six to seven weeks before the expiration date so that you don't need to pay extra for a temporary driver's licence as well.
Here are some frequently asked questions that will hopefully clear up any confusion for motorists.
1. If my vehicle licence expired between 31 March and 31 May 2020, when do I need to renew?
Vehicle licences should be renewed by 22 September 2020. If you still need to renew your vehicle licence after this date, you will incur a penalty of about 22% extra per month there after.
2. What if my vehicle licence expired 30 June 2020?
Payment and renewal had to be renewed by 21 July 2020, any renewal done after this date means extra penalty costs will be incurred.
3. What if my vehicle licence expired on 31 July 2020?
Payment and renewal had to be renewed by 21 August 2020 and any renewal done after that date would mean extra charges will be applied.
4. When do motor trade vehicle numbers/trade plates for motor vehicle dealers have to be renewed which expired during the national lockdown?
These need to be renewed by 31 November 2020.
5. When does my lockdown expired driver licence, learner's licence, or roadworthy certificates have to be renewed?
Any learner, driver's or motor trade licence which expired between 26 March and 31 August (and only these dates) have until 31 January 2021 to renew your licence.
6. Does the 21 January licence renewal apply to me if my driver's or learner's licence expired AFTER 31 August?
No, if your learner's or driver's licence card expires in September or after that, you need to renew your licence as soon as possible and also pay extra for a temporary licence.
7. My vehicle licence disc expired in 2018, will I also have 90 days grace to extend my licence after August?
No, not at all. Any vehicle licence which expired BEFORE the Covid-18 global pandemic will not receive any leniency and will have to pay hefty penalties to have their vehicle licence renewed.
8. My vehicle licence expired end of February 2020, and I had 21 days grace just before lockdown hit in March, will I still have until 22 September 2020 to renew?
No, unfortunately not. Your vehicle licence had to be renewed before the lockdown was implemented on 26 March 2020, this means you will have to pay penalties for each month since then, including the lockdown months as the grace period had expired.
9. Why do I need to pay penalties if we were in lockdown?
The City of Cape Town explained that customers who could not renew their licences due to lockdown, but who needed to renew their licences before 26 March when the lockdown was implemented but failed to do so, will, unfortunately, have to pay penalties.
"These fines cannot be written off as it is not a decision the City can make. This falls within the ambit of the National Department of Transport, and the City follows the prescripts of the applicable regulations and legislation.
The City continues to engage the Western Cape Government and the National Department of Transport on this issue. The City is only an agent of the other government spheres when it comes to vehicle licensing; they hold the authority. The decision to write off licence penalties rests with the National Department of Transport. The Ministry did not include this scenario for penalties to be written off for vehicle licences that have expired before the lockdown."
Janine Van der Post is the first female editor at Wheels24, and of a mainstream motoring publication. If you have any queries, you can email her here.
