South Africa Introducing Smart Card Technology for Driving Licences in 2023

As part of its efforts to modernize and improve its infrastructure, South Africa will be introducing a new driving licence card in 2023. The current cards, which have been in use since 1998, will be phased out and replaced with a system that utilizes smart-card technology. The new cards will be linked to the International Information Technology Personal Identification Compliant Driving Licence (ISO18013) standard, which aims to improve security and authenticity measures. The cards will feature biometric data, holograms, and watermarks to prevent counterfeiting and improve road safety. In addition to the new cards, South Africa’s transport department will also be implementing smart systems for handling applications and renewals, as well as expanding the offices where these services can be accessed. A “smart enrolment” system for booking and renewing licences is also set to go live in March 2023, and “smart” Drivers Licence Testing Centres have already been launched in certain locations. The introduction of these new technologies is intended to streamline processes and improve efficiency for motorists. However, current cards will continue to be recognized as valid until March 2029, and their validity period will also be extended from five to eight years.