Free licence bookings

Driving licence holders can now easily book online for renewals as the City of Tshwane’s licensing centre has launched a new smart phone application.

The new application, independently developed by the Online Company SA, can be used to secure a booking at Centurion, Akasia, Bronkhorstpruit and Waltloo licensing departments free of charge.

It also offers courier delivery of the license cards, with fees ranging from R96.45 in Gauteng to R414.41 in North West (Hartbeespoort Dam).

“The application comes at a paramount time to help us deal with the influx at our licensing centres due to 2018 being another five-year cycle return of thousands of applicants who converted from the green barcoded identity book driving license to the legislated license cards of 2003,” said Tshwane MMC of transport Sheila Lynn Senkubuge.

The city is, however, aware of other independently developed online applications, but they charge a fee for preoccupying a space in queues, she said.

“These applications offer a booked date and time slot which is an advance to the preoccupation service. In contrast, the Online Company SA application was put on a trial period to test the feasibility and general online integrity and functionality and has proven to be a huge success, at no cost to the user.”

To use the system, one must register on the Online Company SA website to make the booking. Once at the testing station, do not stand in the queue but present the printed booking e-mail to security officials.

Motorists are also reminded to bring an optometrist’s certificate when applying for the renewal of a driving license as it also reduces by about 60% the time spent at the data-capturing desk.

These applications offer a booked date and time slot which is an advance to the pre-occupation service.

Sheila Lynn Senkubuge Tshwane MMC of transport