Is Your Car Insurance Still Valid if Your Driving or Vehicle Licence Has Expired?

Lockdown regulations have affected many businesses and day-to-day operations, including driver’s licencing departments, centres and test centres (DLTCs).  Licensing centres and Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) were only allowed to operate again at the beginning of June, once certified COVID-19 compliant. Understandably, there is a backlog – appointments, applications and renewals need to be processed.

However, there’s some good news…

On 22 July, the Department of Transport issued Regulations, which provide gazetted regulations that “all learner's licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits that expire during the period that commenced from 26 March 2020 up to and including 31 August 2020 are deemed to be valid and their validity period is extended for a further grace period ending on 31 January 2021.”

Important to note, the gazette confirms that “All motor vehicle licence discs, temporary permits and roadworthy certificates that expired during the period that commenced from 26 March 2020 up to and including 31 May 2020 are deemed to be valid and their validity period is extended for a further grace period ending on 31 August 2020.”

The Road Traffic Management Corporation states in their FAQ regarding the renewal of your driving licence card, “Your South African driver’s licence card serves as valid proof that you have a South African driver’s licence. When your driver’s licence card expires, it does not mean that your driver’s licence has expired - only that the card serving as valid proof that you hold such a licence has expired. When you renew your card, you will not be expected to undergo a driver’s licence test."

Karabo Kopeka, Head of Claims at Miway Insurance, has confirmed that, “If your licence has expired during this period, it will still remain valid for the duration of the Government announced validity period. As such, a licence that has expired within this period, will not have an adverse impact on the outcome of your claim.”

If you renewed your driver’s licence before lockdown but were unable to collect your licence due to the closure of the driver’s licence and testing centres, be sure to keep any proof of payment or receipts with you while out driving. Should you be the recipient of a traffic fine, you would need to contest this.