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• This application can only be successful if you meet specific requirements.
• South Africans only have six months to apply for the conversion based on requirement circumstances.
Several Wheels24 readers have confessed they still have their driving licence in their green ID book. While this can be converted to a credit card licence format, it only applies to particular circumstances.
Many of our readers have worked and lived abroad; they have since returned home to South Africa. Others have been ill and unable to drive, so they still have their licence in the ID.
The driving licence card format was introduced in 1998, and South Africans were given a five-year deadline to convert their green ID licences to the new form by 2003.
One reader writes: "I am a pensioner and a retired teacher; 64-years-old and received my driving license in 1976.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances and ill health, I was unable to renew my licence at the time the card process took place.
"I've been to several traffic departments and had the green form filled in, had eye tests done, the whole process followed and was sent away and told to reapply for a new driving license - and to do the learner's licence test first. I feel this is so unnecessary and so unsympathetic towards people in my situation. Why then, if a driving licence never expires, are we prohibited from getting a new card? Why do we need to start from scratch?
Wheels24 has reached out to the Minister of Transport for some clarification. We will publish his response once it is received.
According to the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 of South Africa, you may still convert your green ID book licence if you comply with these specific requirements only:
• If you have been working or studying abroad on or before 30 April 2003;
• If you have been in a medical facility or have been incarcerated in South Africa on 30 or before April 2003.
• If your spouse was working abroad on or before 30 April 2003.
However, I know many of our readers have also been unable to drive due to medical reasons. If you could prove this with medical documents, you should be able to state your case to your provincial transport department and request a conversion from your green ID book if your situation has changed.
However, if you do not meet any of these requirements, or it's been quite a while outside the six month deadline window based on your return to SA, or based on the dates of the other specific reasons, many officials have confirmed that sadly you would then need to start the entire process from scratch, including a learner's licence.
Which documents will your need for a licence card conversion?
You'll need to present the following:
• Your SA identity document;
• Passport if you have been abroad;
• Proof of employment/work contract or;
• Proof of studies or;
• Proof from medical institution (with exact dates of being in the institution) or;
• Proof from the correctional facility (with precise dates of incarceration) or;
• Spouse's proof of employment and affidavit from the applicant confirming they accompanied spouse abroad.
These original documents must be presented to the Driving Licence Helpdesk of the Department of Transport for permission to do a late conversion of the South African driving licence.
Details for the Western Cape:
services@capetown.gov.za or visit the CT office at 9 Dorp Street, Cape Town. (Walk-in center).
Contact numbers:
021 483 2078
021 483 2080
021 483 2469
021 483 6401
021 483 052
