Temporary drivers licence South Africa: All you need to know
In South Africa, possessing a driver's licence is not just essential, it’s the law. If you find yourself without your official document, whether due to loss, theft, or expiration, securing a temporary driver’s licence is crucial for your legal driving status.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Who needs a temporary driver's licence in South Africa?
- How do I get a temporary driver's licence in South Africa?
- How much does a temporary driver's licence cost in South Africa?
- How long does a temporary driver's licence SA take?
- Can I drive around with my temporary licence?
- Who is exempt from paying for a temporary driving licence in South Africa?
- Where is the licence number on a temporary licence in South Africa?
Key takeaways
- You need a temporary driver's licence in South Africa when your official licence is lost, or when you apply for a new one.
- Drivers who reside in Gauteng can make the temporary driver's licence application online.
- A South African driver's licence card has a validity of five years from the date of issue.
- Most motorists forget to apply for the document's renewal before expiry and must have the temporary version as they await their renewed card to be ready.
Who needs a temporary driver's licence in South Africa?
There are two instances when motorists are required to have the document:
- When your official South African DL is stolen, damaged or lost
- Your Mzansi DL card has expired, and you have applied for renewal
Once you apply for the card's renewal or replacement, you will have to wait for about four to six weeks for it to be ready. During the waiting period, you must have the temporary DL to be allowed to drive on any South African road.
The temporary DL is issued at any driving licence testing centre (DLTC) across South Africa. It will remain valid for up to six months or until you get your renewed DL card, whichever comes first.
How do I get a temporary driver's licence in South Africa?
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The process is straightforward and hassle-free. You must have the following temporary driver's licence requirements before you can proceed.
- A certified copy of your regular or temporary identification document (ID). Foreigners residing in Mzansi can present a traffic register number certificate.
- Proof of postal and residential address, for example, a utility account. If someone else owns the bill, the legal owner should make an affidavit that confirms your residency at the said address. Ensure you attach the testimony to the bill.
- Motorists living in informal establishments must get an official and stamped letter from the ward councillor to confirm their residential and postal addresses.
- Four similar black-and-white pictures, but the DLTC may need more than four photos. It is, therefore, prudent to confirm with the DLTC before having them taken.
- A duly filled application form for a temporary driver's licence (DL1). The document can be obtained from any driving licence testing centre on or before the day you make your application. You can also download it from the eNatis website and fill it out before proceeding to the DLTC.
- A duly filled notification of change of address or particulars of a person or organisation (NCP) form.
- Carry the required fee.
- Eye testing results. The test is usually conducted at the DLTC on the day of the application. If you want to shorten the time you stay at the centre, get an eye test from a professional optometrist and take the form to the DLTC.
Drivers who reside in Gauteng can make the temporary driver's licence application online. Visit online.natis.gov.za and follow the prompts to apply for a temporary driver's licence.
If your driver's licence expires when you are out of the country, you will only be required to apply for renewal and the temporary licence when you get back to South Africa.
How much does a temporary driver's licence cost in South Africa?
The price of a temporary driver's licence varies across municipalities. Make inquiries at the local licensing office. On top of the licence charges, you must have R70 for a fingerprint check against the national SAPS criminal fingerprint database. The temporary driving licence cost is not part of the licence renewal fee.
How long does a temporary driver's licence SA take?
The document is issued on the same day you submit your application. You can quicken the procedure by making sure you visit a Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) with correct paperwork. This includes having your eye test done by an optometrist, downloading the DL1 form from the eNatis website, and then filling it out before going to the testing centre.
Can I drive around with my temporary licence?
Yes, you can legally drive around in South Africa with a valid temporary driving licence.
Who is exempt from paying for a temporary driving licence in South Africa?
Motorists in South Africa are exempt from paying for a temporary driving licence only if they meet three specific conditions:
- Expiry window: The permanent driving licence expired between 5 February and 8 May 2025, during the national card-printing machine breakdown.
- Application timeline: The motorist applied for the temporary driving licence within three months of the permanent licence expiring.
- Effective date: The application was submitted after the fee waiver officially took effect on 23 July 2025.
Where is the licence number on a temporary licence in South Africa?
On a South African temporary driving licence (printed on an A4 paper certificate), the reference or tracking number, often used as the temporary licence or form number, is located at the top right or top left corner of the document, while your primary personal identification number remains your South African ID number listed under the holder's particulars.
As a motorist, there is a high chance that you will need a temporary driver's licence in South Africa as you wait for your DL card to be replaced or renewed. Now that you are familiar with the process, it should be easy to obtain it to avoid getting on the wrong side of the law.
Briefly.co.za also published the procedure that South African motorists need to follow to check outstanding traffic fines. The confirmation is made online via the AARTO system.
If you have a fine to pay, there are specific payment methods, including via Pick n Pay stores, Absa Bank, First National Bank, SA Post Office, Shoprite, and others. Those who fail to pay the fine will not get a driving licence, a professional driving permit, or a vehicle licence disc for a vehicle registered in their name.
Proofreading by Rianette Cluley, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
Alice Wabwile (Lifestyle writer) Alice Wabwile is a multifaceted lifestyle writer boasting over six years of experience. As a BCom graduate from the University of Nairobi, she has cultivated a dynamic skill set through roles such as her tenure at Strathmore University's Data Science Department, where she contributed significantly to research. Alice has a proven track record of excellence, evidenced by her recognition as Briefly News Writer of the Year in 2023. Outside of her love for reading and writing, Alice is an engaged member of the Rotaract Club of Kabete. For inquiries, reach out to her at alicenjoro01@gmail.com
Glenn Omondi (Lifestyle writer) Glenn Omondi is a writer with more than 5 years of experience. He has a Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science from Kenyatta University, having graduated in 2025. He specialises in celebrity biographies, educational content, guides and listicles. Glenn finished the Google Digital Skills for Africa certification in 2020. You can reach him via glennomondi@gmail.com.
