800 000 without licences
2003-08-11 11:50
Cape Town - Nearly 800 000 drivers did not convert to the new credit-card system of driver's licence, according to Transport Minister Dullah Omar. The deadline was the end of April this year.
In a written reply to a question from New National Party MP Keppies Niemann, the minister said "in spite of efforts of the department" there were still about a million people whose licences are included in (the old) identity documents - which rendered those licences invalid.
But the minister subtracted 207 635 drivers who had died "and will not apply for the conversion process", according to Home Affairs department figures. This takes the figure down from 1 002 272 who did not apply to about 794 637.
Despite a two-month period of extension being granted in March and April of this year to get the new format licence, only 143 011 people took advantage of this window period. This was in addition to 442 814 individuals who registered
in February for the new licence - or about 32% of drivers.
"It is not totally clear why 794 637 drivers have not converted; various possibilities are currently being investigated including factors such as emigration, old age, frail health and imprisonment. The department will make the figures available as soon as they become available."
Asked about the fine for failing to produce a valid driver's licence while driving on a public road, he said this was determined by local authorities.