Renewing your driving licence card
When to renew, what to take to the testing centre, the eye test, and what happens if your card has already expired.
Offices change fees and rules without much warning. Check the official page linked below before you go.
Your driving licence card has an expiry date printed on it. The government says to renew it four weeks before that date.
Where
Renewals happen at a Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC). The government asks residents to apply for renewal online first. Check your province or municipality's site for how booking works where you live.
What to take
- Your ID and a copy, or your old licence card, or a valid passport
- Four black-and-white ID photos
- Proof of where you live, such as a utility bill
- The application fee
The eye test
You don't take the driving test again. You'll have an eye test and your fingerprints taken at the centre. You can use your own optometrist instead and bring the report with you.
What it costs
The official page doesn't give a figure. Contact your local licensing office for the current fee before you go.
How long it takes
The new card is ready in four to six weeks.
If your card has already expired
You'll need a temporary driving licence while the new card is made, which costs extra. A temporary licence:
- is issued the same day at any DLTC
- is valid for six months
- needs a certified copy of your ID, proof of address, four photos and the fee
You can also get a temporary licence if you've lost your card.
Renewing on time saves you the trip and the cost.
Sources
- gov.za: Renew driving licence (checked 8 October 2026)
- gov.za: Temporary driving licence (checked 8 October 2026)
Checked against these sources by the ZA Survival Guide editors.
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