Thankfully, the authorities have made it easy to do drivers licence renewal online, whether you are booking from Gauteng, or anywhere else in South Africa. This means the stress, and waiting time are both considerably reduced, and as a result, the system is a lot more efficient.
This is great news to many people; especially to those who drive not for pleasure but as their main source of income. To these ones, a day without their drivers’ licence is a day without income.
Whether one is a private or professional driver, by following the easy steps outlined here, one can renew his licence without stress.
Drivers Licence Renewal Online Booking Gauteng
The first thing is to get a computer or tablet that is enabled to the internet. The computer or tablet does not have to belong to the applicant; one can make use of public computers whether in Gauteng or anywhere else.
With the internet enabled device, go to the official website of natis to book an appointment with the natis officials to renew your licence. The website is: https://online.natis.gov.za/#/
It is boldly written on the website to either Book An Appointment, Or Register As A Road Traffic User. Please note that as a person looking to renew a licence; the link of interest is the one that says Book An Appointment. Clicking the one that says Register As A Road User will mean attempting to get a licence for the first time.
After clicking on Book An Appointment, one will find the option to provide his personal details by filling the DL1 form.
Complete form DL1: Application for renewal of driving licence card. Please take great care to ensure that the information provided is accurate.
This form will make it easier and faster to renew the licence because then NATIS already has the details it needs to work with.
However, the form only sets up the applicant for an appointment at any of the offices of NATIS in Gauteng; there is still the need to go there in person, and to do an eye test, but there is no need to worry; the process is very simple, and the paragraphs below explain it quite well.
This Is A Step By Step Guide On How To Renew One’s Driver’s Licence
Proceed to the DLTC office nearest to you. It could be the same office where you processed your first or previous driver’s licence. When going to the DLTC office please go with the following:
Identity document (ID) and a copy of your ID. You may also go with your old driving licence card or valid South African passport.
One should also go with Four black-and-white ID photographs. Some DLTC offices have provision for taking passport photos onsite; but it is still advisable to bring it along. If you will be taking the passport photos at the office, then it is best to tell the officials before joining the queue so as not to delay the process.
Every applicant will need to bring a Proof of address: this is usually a utility bill such as power, water, or telephone bills. Sometimes, the bill may not be in the applicant’s name. If that is the case, then the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address. The applicant must then attach the utility bill to the affidavit, and then bring both to the DLTC office.
If the applicant lives at an informal settlement, then he must first go to the ward councilor, so as to get a letter with an official date stamp. This official letter should confirm the applicant’s residential address.
If one has recently moved to the informal address, he should also bring along his last utility bill from his previous address, with the official letter from the ward councilor.
What To Know About Renewing Drivers Licence Online In Gauteng
Gauteng residents, as well as all the people of South Africa need to follow these simple steps so as to get their driving licences. Please note that it is better to follow the normal procedure, rather than attempt to cut corners; these processes are to ensure your safety, and the safety of others.
Furthermore, it is important to note that applicants must renew their driver’s licence 4 weeks before the expiration of the old one. Failure to do that will require one to get a temporary driver’s licence which will be used until the production of the new one. The temporary one will be done at an extra cost.
There is a lot of misinformation going around about the procedure for getting a driver’s licence renewed; and perhaps that misinformation plays a role in the many late renewals that have been observed. For the avoidance of doubt, please note the following:
Applicants will not be required to take a driving test when they want to renew their driving licence. However, all applicants must undergo eye testing to ensure optimal vision. Furthermore, fingerprints will be taken for reasons of identity.
In order to make the process as easy as possible, the authorities do not require testing to be done at the offices of NATIS, or any other government agency. Applicants can have their eye tests done by an optometrist at their convenience, and then submit the report at the driving licence testing Centre (DLTC).
Are There Any Payments To Be Made?
Yes, the booking fee is R250, plus an additional fee of R22 which goes to the NATIS purse. However, these figures may be subject to change, and so it is always best to confirm from the nearest office the current rates.
Please note that most offices do not accept cash; therefore it is essential to go along with your credit or debit card, in order to make the payment for renewal. Those who consider the renewal expensive may want to know that the cost for getting a new licence can be as high R600; which means this is quite cheap.
How Long Does It Take To Renew A Drivers Licence In Gauteng?
According to the national transport information and regulatory services, it takes anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks to get a driver’s licence ready. However, there is nothing said about when the 4 to 6 weeks starts counting; whether from the time of payment, or from the time of the appointment.
Nevertheless, it is assumed that the maximum waiting time is 6 weeks after the appointment at the NATIS office. Therefore, it is a good idea to renew the licence around 2 months before the expiration of the old one.
What IF I Lost My Licence?
People who have lost their licence before the expiration can renew it as if it was expired, but that will need some documentation to prove to the authorities concerned that the licence was indeed lost or stolen.
This is not difficult at all; one only needs to complete a declaration of lost documents form, and attach it to the licence renewal form. Then pay the fee, do the eye testing, and sit for the appointment. After that, the new licence will be produced.
However, in this case one may still need to get a temporary drivers’ licence which will cost an additional fee. This is to allow one use the roads as a driver pending when his new driver’s licence will be ready. Nevertheless, one may contact the nearest NATIS office to plead his case for a waiver.
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Closing
That is all you need to know about renewing your driver’s licence online in Gauteng. Please remember that after filling the form online, it is still necessary to show up at the NATIS office in person for an appointment, and to do an eye test.
However, by following the steps as outlined in this post; persons who need to renew their driving licences can do so with ease. Please remember that most offices will not accept payments in cash; they will only use debit or credit cards.