To collect a renewed or newly issued driving licence card at a South African Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC), you must present your original identity document (Smart ID Card or green barcoded ID book) and your original application payment receipt. If applicable, you must also hand over your old driving licence card or valid temporary licence upon collection. If you are unable to collect the card yourself, a third party may collect it on your behalf only if they present a sworn police affidavit, certified copies of both identity documents, and their own original ID.
Primary Documents Required for Personal Collection
When collecting your driving licence card in person from the DLTC where you submitted your renewal or original application, you must provide specific documentation to verify your identity and confirm that the processing fees were paid.
- Original Identity Document: You must present your original South African Smart ID Card or green barcoded ID book. Alternatively, a valid South African passport or a valid Traffic Register Number (TRN) certificate with foreign identification (for non-citizens) is acceptable.
- Proof of Payment: The original receipt issued by the DLTC cashier when you submitted your renewal application or passed your driving test.
- Existing Driving Licence or Temporary Licence: You must submit your expired or previous driving licence card for cancellation, or return your original temporary driving licence if one was issued to you during the processing period.
| Required Document | Acceptable Format | Purpose |
| Identity Verification | Original SA Smart ID / ID Book / SA Passport | Confirms ownership of the licence card |
| Application Receipt | Original paper receipt from DLTC cashier | Proves transaction completion and fee payment |
| Previous Licence / Temporary | Original physical card or temporary certificate | Surrendered to DLTC upon receiving the new card |
Rules for Third-Party Collection
If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from collecting your driving licence card in person, South African traffic regulations allow an authorized representative to collect it on your behalf, provided strict documentation requirements are met:
1. Sworn Police Affidavit
You must provide a detailed affidavit signed at a South African Police Service (SAPS) station or before a Commissioner of Oaths. The affidavit must explicitly state the reasons preventing you from collecting the card in person and must list the full name and ID number of the designated representative collecting the card.
2. Certified Copy of the Applicant’s ID
A certified copy of your Smart ID Card or green barcoded ID book (certified within the last 3 to 6 months).
3. Representative’s Identification
The proxy collecting the card must present both their original identity document and a certified copy of their identity document.
4. Application Receipt
The original payment receipt issued during the initial application process.
Note: Some DLTCs require that you inform the officials during your initial application that a proxy will collect the card on your behalf. Check with your specific municipality for local variations.
Processing Timelines and Tracking Card Status
Driving licence cards in South Africa are manufactured centrally by the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) facility in Pretoria before being distributed back to individual testing stations.
Expected Timeframe
Under standard operating conditions, a driving licence card takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks to be produced and delivered to the relevant DLTC. However, processing delays can occur due to manufacturing queues or logistics issues.
Checking Collection Status
Before traveling to the testing centre, you can verify whether your card is ready for collection:
- NaTIS Online Portal: Log in to
online.natis.gov.za, navigate to your dashboard, and check the status of your driving licence application. - SMS Verification: Certain provinces and DLTCs offer an SMS service where sending your ID number to designated query lines returns your card’s current status (such as “Produced and ready for collection”).
The 120-Day Destruction Rule
Under South African road traffic laws, driving licence cards that remain uncollected at a DLTC for 120 days from the date of issue are considered unclaimed and are destroyed. If your card is destroyed under this rule, you will be required to re-apply, undergo another eye test and fingerprinting process, and pay all application fees again.
What to Do If You Have Lost Your Collection Receipt
If you misplace or lose the original payment receipt issued during your application, you can still collect your driving licence card by following this procedure:
- Visit a SAPS Station: Request an affidavit form to declare that your original DLTC payment receipt was lost or stolen.
- Complete the Sworn Statement: State your full name, ID number, the date of your application, and the DLTC where the application was submitted.
- Present Additional Verification at the DLTC: Bring your original ID and the police affidavit to the DLTC. An official will search the NaTIS database using your ID number to verify your transaction history before releasing the card.
Important Items to Inspect Upon Receiving Your Card
Before leaving the collection counter at the DLTC, inspect your new driving licence card to ensure all information is accurate:
- Personal Details: Verify that your surname, initials, date of birth, and identity number match your official identity document exactly.
- Vehicle Codes and Endorsements: Ensure that all vehicle codes you are qualified to drive (e.g., Code B, Code EB, Code C1, Code EC) are listed correctly.
- Restriction Codes: Check for correct condition codes, such as driver restriction
01(glasses or contact lenses required). - Validity Dates: Verify that the issue date is correct and that the expiry date reflects the standard 5-year validity period from production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to collect my South African driving licence card?
To collect your driving licence card in person, you need your original South African Identity Document (Smart ID Card or barcoded ID book) or a valid SA passport, your original application payment receipt, and your old driving licence card or temporary driving licence (if applicable).
Can someone else collect my driving licence card on my behalf?
Yes, another person can collect your driving licence card if you provide them with a sworn police affidavit explaining why you cannot collect it yourself, a certified copy of your ID, the original payment receipt, and their own original ID along with a certified copy. The affidavit must explicitly name the designated representative and state their ID number.
How long do I have to collect my driving licence card before it is destroyed?
Driving licence cards must be collected within 120 days from the date they are produced and delivered to the DLTC. If a card is not collected within 120 days, it is destroyed, and you must complete a new application process and pay all associated fees again.
How can I check if my driving licence card is ready for collection at the DLTC?
You can check your card status online by creating a profile and logging into the official NaTIS portal (online.natis.gov.za). Alternatively, you can use available regional SMS inquiry services or contact the specific DLTC where you submitted your application.
What happens if I lose my application receipt before collecting my driving licence?
If you lose your original payment receipt, you must obtain a sworn affidavit from a police station stating that the receipt was lost or stolen. Bring this affidavit along with your original identity document to the DLTC, where an official will verify your record on the system before issuing your card.
Do I need to book an online appointment to collect my driving licence card?
In most South African municipalities and provinces (including Gauteng), walk-ins are permitted for card collections, and a prior online booking is not required specifically for collection. However, queue systems and collection hours vary by station, so checking your local DLTC’s operational hours is recommended.