December is the busiest time of the year for account payments and vehicle licence renewals. Many motorists who are travelling to holiday destinations by car choose this month to renew their vehicle licence leading to longer waiting periods at licensing facilities.

The City therefore urges motorists to please check their motor vehicle licence discs to see if their licence is up for renewal and to use the City’s online e-services portal to renew licences and to pay accounts as well as to avoid the queues.

‘Due to the increase in customer volumes, it may take a bit longer to finalise transactions at our walk-in centres. That is why it is important for our customers to act in a proactive manner and not to delay. We advise that it is possible that the licence renewal process at our walk-in offices may take a few minutes longer if renewal notices are not sent,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.

Members of the public are also able to renew their licences online by going to register and to make their payments.

Proof of residence and a copy of the ID of the vehicle owner are required when applying for renewals. The proof of residence and a copy of the ID can be scanned in and sent as an attachment if the application is completed online. Please allow at least 14 days for online licence disc renewals, subject to the postal service being in full operation.

How to pay online

Step 1: You will need to register as a user on the e-Services portal.

Step 2: Activate the vehicle licensing renewal option and fill in the relevant information to obtain the City’s banking details and your specific deposit reference number.

Step 3: Using these banking details, and your specific deposit reference number, you can make an EFT payment directly from your bank's website.

Top tips to remember:

• Applications for vehicle licence renewals should be made a month prior to the expiry date.
• Please allow 14 days to receive your licence after the payment has been received by us to be safe. The City makes of  use of the South African Postal Services to deliver all of our licences and there may be unforeseen delays.
• Should you not receive your disc after this period, contact our Call Centre on 086 0103 089.
• Motor dealers who need to renew motor trade plates can only do this in person at a motor vehicle licensing office.

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