South Africa is set to receive a newly designed driving licence card as the Department of Transport continues to manage challenges linked to the country’s ageing licence card printing system. The department has provided further clarity on the status of licence card production, confirming that a revised card design has been approved to help address delays caused by a stalled tender process for a new printing machine.
Key Takeaways
- Tender process reset by the courts: The High Court has overturned the appointment of the licence card printing machine service provider, forcing the Department of Transport to cancel the existing tender and restart the procurement process within a strict 30-day deadline.
- Delays likely, but oversight strengthened: Restarting the tender is expected to prolong the replacement of the ageing printing machine, yet the ruling reinforces transparency and accountability in public procurement, addressing concerns raised by the Auditor General.
- Interim measures remain critical: With South Africa still reliant on a single, failure-prone printing machine, temporary solutions such as issuing valid temporary licences and exploring alternative printing arrangements are essential to prevent future backlogs.
About Arcadia Finance
Arcadia Finance makes borrowing simpler, connecting you to 19 trusted, NCR-registered lenders with no application fees and a smooth online process.
Court Ruling Forces Tender Restart
The High Court decision has effectively reset the procurement process for replacing South Africa’s only driving licence card printing machine. This ruling means that the department must begin a fresh tender process, which is expected to extend the timeline for acquiring a replacement for the existing machine, which has repeatedly suffered mechanical failures over the years.
The continued reliance on a single, unreliable printing machine has been a longstanding concern, as repeated breakdowns have previously resulted in significant backlogs and delays in issuing driving licence cards to motorists across the country.
During these periods, motorists are typically issued temporary licences, which remain legally valid.
In response to the court’s judgment, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy expressed support for the outcome, describing it as confirmation of the department’s stance on upholding transparent and accountable procurement processes.
Background to the Tender Investigation
Minister Creecy initiated a formal investigation into the tender shortly after assuming office at the Department of Transport following the 2024 national elections. This intervention followed mounting concerns over how the tender process had been handled prior to her appointment.
The probe was largely informed by findings from the Auditor General of South Africa, which pointed to irregularities in the tender process.
These issues had emerged before Creecy’s tenure and were the subject of prolonged scrutiny, ultimately contributing to the legal challenge that led to the High Court ruling.
In line with the court order, the tender has now officially been nullified and must be re-advertised within the prescribed 30-day period, restarting the procurement process from the beginning.
Interim Printing Solutions Approved
While the new tender process is underway, the courts have acknowledged the practical risks of further delays and have authorised the Department of Transport to pursue alternative measures to prevent renewed backlogs in licence card production.
As part of these interim arrangements, the department has been granted permission to outsource the printing and issuing of driving licence cards to the Department of Home Affairs until a new service provider is appointed through the revised tender process.
Collaboration with Home Affairs and Government Printing Works
In July 2025, Minister Creecy announced that a memorandum of understanding had been signed between the Department of Transport and the Department of Home Affairs. This agreement established a temporary solution aimed at stabilising the production of driving licence cards.
Under this arrangement, the Government Printing Works, an entity that already prints South African passports and Smart ID cards, will print driving licences.
Addressing the Licence Card Backlog
The impact of the malfunctioning printing machine became particularly evident earlier in 2025, when breakdowns between February and April led to a substantial accumulation of unprinted licence cards. By May 2025, the backlog had reached 756,227 outstanding cards.
This was reduced to 336,028 by mid-September 2025 and cleared by December, with the DoT noting that it had printed an additional 2.23 million cards between May and the end of the year.
Higher output during this period helped normalise turnaround times nationwide.
To avoid another backlog, the DoT said that it was making progress on the interim solution for printing.
Progress on the New Licence Card Design
Crucially, the State Security Agency has approved a prototype driving licence card that can be printed by the Government Printing Works.
Security approval is required to ensure protection against fraud and document tampering.
A cabinet process will soon be undertaken to seek approval for the prototype card design, the department said.
Technical Systems Successfully Tested
There has also been a successful testing of a network connection between the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the Government Printing Works. This will allow the transfer of data and files required by the printers to produce the licence cards.
Conclusion
The High Court ruling marks a significant turning point in South Africa’s efforts to modernise its driving licence card printing system, as it prioritises lawful and transparent procurement over speed. While the decision is likely to delay the acquisition of a new printing machine, it addresses long-standing concerns around tender irregularities and governance failures that have contributed to repeated disruptions. In the interim, the Department of Transport faces continued pressure to manage risks associated with ageing infrastructure and prevent fresh backlogs, making effective temporary measures and interdepartmental cooperation crucial until a permanent solution is secured.
Fast, uncomplicated, and trustworthy loan comparisons
At Arcadia Finance, you can compare loan offers from multiple lenders with no obligation and free of charge. Get a clear overview of your options and choose the best deal for you.
Fill out our form today to easily compare interest rates from 19 banks and find the right loan for you.
