DLTCs drive to ease the wait
07 February 2025
In a bid to ease pressure on Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs), and potentially fast-track learner’s and driving licence applications, the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee encourages applicants to check waiting times first, before making an appointment. Read more below:
The City has 18 Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) that facilitate learner's and driving licence tests, fine payments, Public Driving Permit applications and driving licence card renewals.
Between October and December 2024, the City's DLTCs facilitated 17 087 driving licence tests, and 18 171 learner licence tests.
In December 2024, the average waiting times were 25 days for a learner's licence appointment and 37 days for a driving licence appointment.
By individual facility, Goodwood's turnaround time for a driving licence was 89 days, while Lingelethu West was one day, and Bellrail in Bellville was 10 days.
'Waiting times for learner's and driving licence tests fluctuate, based on the demand; but in the reports submitted to the Portfolio Committee, it is clear that some of our DLTCs are oversubscribed, while others have almost immediate availability. The waiting times are updated weekly on the City's website and the Traffic Service is also looking at other ways of spreading the word. That way, applicants can decide whether they are happy to wait a month or two, or if they want to take advantage of an earlier opportunity at a different facility,' said the Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.
When an applicant arrives at a DLTC to book an appointment, they are required to provide all of the necessary documentation, including relevant forms, photographs and proof of identity.
The information is then fed into the NaTIS system, and an appointment is generated.
'Many applicants are under pressure to complete their tests - sometimes their learner's licence is about to expire, or they have a job offer that requires a valid licence. If they are able to get to a DLTC that may be a little out of the way, but can accommodate them much sooner, I would suggest that they take the opportunity – for their own potential benefit, but also to help us ease the load at our testing centres,' added Councillor Nqavashe.
DID YOU KNOW:
- The City has 18 Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs)
- DLTCs are implementing agents on behalf of the Road Traffic Management Corporation
- This means that the systems, processes and regulations are determined nationally, and applies throughout the country
- An online appointment system has been piloted in certain provinces; however, applicants are still required to present at the facility in person, to submit the required documentation, within two – three days
- Applications for learner's or driving licences, PrDPs and driving card renewals can be done at ANY DLTC in the metropole
- To check waiting times and any other information relating to DLTCs, click on the link: bit.ly/3WFQl4T
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
