Motorists reminded of July renewal peak

The City of Cape Town reminds motorists who are due to renew their vehicle licences in July 2021, to do so as soon as possible and not to wait for the last minute to renew, as high volumes are expected. Motorists also need to factor in a turnaround time of approximately three to four weeks for online applications, which includes the processing as well as dispatch by the South African Post Office. A peak in renewals is expected, as many licences will expire in July 2021, due to the Covid-19 lockdown licensing extension given to some motorists last year.

The City urges motorists who are due to renew their licence discs in July to do so as soon as possible, to avoid unnecessary delays due to the expected increase in license disc renewals in the coming month. Motorists are again urged to act proactively, check the licence disc on the vehicle and plan for a longer renewal turnaround time.

Please only visit an office in person for urgent business, and do so very early in the day or use our online options where possible. If applying online, remember to plan for the processing of the licence as well as the delivery, which could take about three to four weeks through the South African Post Office.
  
‘With the current Covid-19 resurgence, we encourage customers to please make use of our online service offerings, where possible. It is important to avoid crowded areas and facilities and to only visit an office for urgent business. We remind customers that the national Covid-19 regulations still apply and the City must adhere to these. This impacts on the number of staff operating at the same time, customers allowed in the offices, and thus turnaround times. We will continue to make sure that we offer services to the best of our ability and continue to liaise with the national authorities in charge of licensing to see how the customer experience can be improved amid the high volumes. Last year, the City’s dedicated team managed to process applications for the 1,3 million registered vehicles in Cape Town in a record time of six months. This would normally take a year. We thank customers for their patience and understanding,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance and Executive Deputy Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson.

Tips

Please plan ahead. Check your licence disc renewal date.

Customers are reminded that fines are nationally determined and the City may not unilaterally write off fines.

Please plan for a turnaround time of approximately three to four weeks currently from application to receipt of the licence when applying online via e-Services.

The length of queues at motor licensing offices have reduced in general. However, it may still seem long due to the social distancing and other Covid-19 measures that are in place. The waiting period is likely to increase over the peak months.

If customers must visit a customer office in person, please remember that there is Covid-19 screening at the entrances and a limited number of customers are allowed in at a time due to Covid-19 regulations. Social distancing is required and must be adhered to and masks are compulsory.

Motorists only need their ID for motor vehicle licensing and registration renewals.

To check customer office operating hours, please visit the Operations and Service Notifications document on the City’s website. The City communicates Covid-19 operational updates as fast as possible on CTAlerts on Twitter.

Motorists are reminded that they are not allowed to drive an unlicensed vehicle or a vehicle where a valid licence disc is not displayed.

Motorists are further reminded to update their cell phone numbers and email addresses when applying and paying for their licences online and at licensing offices as they will be receiving renewal reminders via their cell phones or email addresses.

Senior citizens, pregnant customers and customers with disabilities are urged to move to the front of the queue where they will be assisted as soon as possible.

Source: City Of Cape Town