South African motorists can breathe a sigh of relief after the Department of Transport announced that expired driving licence cards will still be accepted as valid identification provided certain conditions are met.

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In a notice published in the Government Gazette on Friday, 26 September 2025, the department confirmed that licence cards remain valid for up to three months beyond their expiry date if motorists can prove they’ve already applied for a replacement.

How the Grace Period Works

The three-month extension is part of the standard process for drivers who renew their licences before the expiry date. To make use of this grace period, motorists must present both their expired card and the official receipt confirming their renewal application.

If the card had already expired before renewal, applicants are required to obtain a temporary driving licence at the time of application and keep proof of it. Temporary licences remain valid for six months or until the new card is issued.

This decision also applies to air travel, with airlines instructed to accept expired licence cards as identification under these circumstances.

Backlog After Licence Printer Breakdown

The announcement follows months of delays caused by the breakdown of South Africa’s only driving licence card printer in February 2025. The fault resulted in a backlog of more than 700,000 cards before the machine was repaired and returned to service in May.

Since then, the backlog has been reduced significantly. From a peak of nearly 760,000 outstanding cards, the number dropped to 336,028 by mid-September 2025. The department credited this improvement to accelerated production, with an average of over 10,000 cards printed daily.

Catching Up on Delays

Transport department spokesperson Collen Msibi said the backlog could be cleared by December 2025 if the current pace continues. Between 8 May and 15 September, the department printed more than 1.3 million driving licence cards an indication of the effort to normalise the system.

However, Msibi acknowledged that the ageing printing machine remains a risk, as it has suffered repeated breakdowns over the years due to overuse.

A Relief for Motorists

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) previously highlighted the three-month validity period in a pamphlet, reminding motorists of their rights during the backlog crisis.

For now, the department’s directive offers relief to drivers worried about travelling with expired licencesv especially for those flying within South Africa.

Motorists are urged to keep both their expired card and proof of renewal at hand to ensure smooth passage at airports and on the roads.