The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on motorists across the country to prepare adequately for the upcoming festive season by ensuring that their vehicles are roadworthy and that all driving and vehicle documentation are valid and up to date.
A total of 2,248,795 vehicle licence discs are due to expire during November and December, highlighting the need for motorists to renew their vehicle licences well in advance of the busy festive period.
Gauteng accounts for the largest number of vehicle licence discs due for renewal, with 851,687 discs expected to expire during the two-month period.
The Western Cape follows with 374,761, while KwaZulu-Natal accounts for 327,014.
The provincial breakdown is as follows:
• Gauteng: 851,687
• Western Cape: 374,761
• KwaZulu-Natal: 327,014
• Mpumalanga: 150,725
• Eastern Cape: 150,521
• Limpopo: 131,274
• Free State: 107,098
• North West: 106,663
• Northern Cape: 49,052
With traffic volumes expected to increase significantly during the festive season, motorists are urged to renew their vehicle licence discs and driving licences before their expiry dates to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure compliance with road traffic legislation.
To make the renewal process more convenient, motorists can visit Online.natis.gov.za to renew their vehicle licence discs online and arrange for delivery to their residential addresses or workplaces. The RTMC online platform has becomea preferred renewal system for many motorists with 8million transactions since its inception in 2022.
Motorists are also encouraged to take advantage of the extended operating hours at RTMC Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) centres, which operate seven days a week, from Sunday to Monday, between 07:00 and 21:00. These extended hours provide motorists with additional opportunities to renew their driving licences ahead of the busy festive season.
The RTMC calls on motorists to ensure that their vehicles are inspected and serviced before embarking on long-distance journeys. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of tyres, brakes, lights, windscreen wipers, and other essential safety components.
As rainfall is expected in various parts of the country during the festive season, motorists are urged to exercise additional caution when driving in wet weather. Drivers should ensure that their tyres provide adequate grip, their windscreen wipers are functioning properly, and their vehicle lights are in good working condition.
The RTMC also urges heavy vehicle drivers to undergo appropriate health checks before undertaking long-distance journeys to ensure that they are medically fit to drive.
Drivers must ensure that they are adequately rested, avoid driving while fatigued and take regular breaks during long journeys. Transport operators have a responsibility to ensure that drivers are fit for duty and that vehicles are in a safe operating condition before being dispatched.
We emphasise that road safety begins before a journey starts. Proper planning, responsible driving behaviour, and regular vehicle maintenance are essential to reducing road crashes, injuries, and fatalities during the upcoming festive season
period.
Motorists are reminded to obey speed limits, maintain safe following distances, never drive under the influence of alcohol, and ensure that all vehicle occupants wear seatbelts.
The road safety agency is making a special plea to all motorists to make road safety a priority this festive season. Renewing vehicle licence discs, checking vehicle roadworthiness, and ensuring that drivers are fit to travel are essential steps towards safer roads for all and reducing the carnage on our roads