Drivers in South Africa who fail to produce a valid physical driving licence during traffic stops will now face strict penalties.
Traffic officers say the time for leniency is over
This South Africa driving licence warning comes after enforcement teams made 246 arrests and recorded more than 59,000 traffic violations in just one week.
During a focused operation in Cape Town’s central business district on Friday, 25 July 2025, traffic officers fined 54 motorists who could not show a valid driver’s licence card.
“It’s quite alarming to realise how many people are driving without valid licences,” said Alderman JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
“Officers are duty-bound to enforce the law. Digital copies are not accepted. If your licence card is lost or stolen, keep proof of your reapplication.”
What counts as a valid driver’s licence?
To legally drive in South Africa, motorists must carry the original, plastic driver’s licence card.
Digital versions on mobile phones, scanned copies, or photos of the card are not accepted.
If your card has been lost or damaged, you must reapply and keep proof of that application in your vehicle.
Without this card or valid proof, you could be fined, your vehicle could be impounded, or you may even be arrested in some cases.
Backlog update: Printing machine is back online
There is some good news for motorists still waiting for their licence cards. The national driver’s licence card printing machine, which was out of service for three months, is now operational again.
This machine prints the official driver’s licence cards used across the country.
According to the Western Cape Government (WCG), the breakdown had caused a major delay, creating a national backlog of 747,748 cards. In the Western Cape alone, the backlog reached 108,402 by 2 May 2025.
The WCG said it welcomed the machine’s return, adding:
“We hope this marks the beginning of real progress. The national department now needs to clear the backlog efficiently and without further issues.”
The crackdown is part of broader traffic law enforcement efforts. In the same week, traffic officers:
- Recorded 49,687 traffic offences
- Executed 1,845 arrest warrants
- Impounded 239 public transport vehicles
- Arrested 25 motorists, including 19 for driving under the influence
- Dealt with stolen vehicles, false documents, and assaults on officers
Metro Police also made 67 arrests, with 33 for drug possession, and issued nearly 3,000 fines. Law enforcement officers arrested 154 people and handed out over 6,700 notices.
The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre handled 1,693 calls last weekend alone, including 636 medical emergencies and 41 vehicle or pedestrian accidents.
Motorists are urged to check that their licence is valid and carry the physical card when driving. If you’ve applied for a new card, always keep proof in your vehicle until the card is ready.