South Africa is aiming to significantly reduce the time it takes to issue driving licence cards, with a new plan targeting a turnaround of just seven working days within the next three years.
The initiative forms part of the Driving Licence Card Account’s (DLCA) 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan, which outlines a phased approach to improving efficiency in card production and service delivery.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said the strategy focuses on addressing longstanding operational challenges, including production backlogs, ageing infrastructure, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Gradual improvements with long-term targets
Over the past few years, the average production time for driving licence cards has steadily improved, decreasing from 23 working days in 2022/23 to 19 days in 2024/25.
The DLCA now plans to further reduce turnaround times, targeting an average of 21 days in 2026/27, followed by 14 days in 2027/28, and ultimately reaching seven days by the 2028/29 financial year.
At the same time, production volumes are expected to stabilise at lower levels compared to previous years. The agency plans to produce approximately 2.6 million cards in 2026/27 and 2.7 million annually thereafter.
Earlier higher output figures were largely driven by the need to clear historical backlogs, rather than reflecting sustainable production capacity.
Infrastructure challenges and tender controversy
A key obstacle to achieving these targets is the ageing card printing infrastructure. South Africa currently relies on a single driving licence card printer that is more than 26 years old.
A major breakdown in early 2025 resulted in a backlog of nearly 750,000 cards, highlighting the system’s vulnerability. Although extended operating hours helped clear the backlog by December 2025, the incident underscored the need for modernisation.
To mitigate such risks, the DLCA plans to acquire new production equipment and upgrade its processes. It has also entered into contingency arrangements with the Government Printing Works (GPW) to ensure continuity in the event of future disruptions.
Meanwhile, efforts to introduce a new generation of driving licence cards have faced legal and administrative challenges. A contract awarded to Idemia in 2024 was later declared invalid by the Gauteng High Court due to irregularities in the tender process.
The court ordered the tender to be reissued, which was completed in early 2026. However, uncertainty remains over whether the same contractor will be selected, or whether GPW could take on a larger role in production.
As the government works to stabilise and modernise the system, the success of the plan will depend on balancing infrastructure upgrades with efficient management and oversight.
Source: Department of Transport / DLCA Annual Performance Plan
