South African motorists hoping to receive their driver’s license cards anytime soon may be in for a long wait. The Department of Transport (DoT) has confirmed a shocking backlog of 733,000 unprinted cards, raising serious concerns about the country’s driver licensing system.
This revelation came during a parliamentary Q&A last week, where the DoT also admitted that no concrete plan exists yet to procure new driver’s licence card printing machines for the country.
Only One Machine… for the Whole Country
Currently, South Africa relies on a single outdated and fragile printing machine to handle all driver’s licence card production. This machine broke down in February 2025, leading to the massive buildup of pending cards.
While the printer resumed operation in early May, it has only managed to clear 14,500 cards of the total backlog so far — a tiny dent in the mountain of pending applications.
How Bad Is the Backlog?
- Backlog at start of May 2025: 747,500 cards
- Current backlog: 733,000 cards
- Printing capacity: 14,000–19,000 cards per 14-hour shift
- Estimated time to clear backlog: 40–53 days (not including new applications)
Even with the printer running at full capacity, South Africans may still wait several months for their licence cards, especially if new applications keep coming in daily.
No New Printer in Sight
Perhaps the most worrying part? The DoT hasn’t yet finalised a procurement plan for a new card printing system. This means no backup, no upgrade, and no end in sight for this ongoing crisis. South Africans remain completely dependent on one machine — with no guarantee it won’t break down again.
What Can You Do?
Unfortunately, there’s very little applicants can do to speed up the process. Those who passed their tests or renewed licences will need to keep using their temporary permits — and hope the system catches up before they expire.
Bottom Line: Prepare for Delays
Until new machines are acquired and implemented, South Africa’s driver’s licence printing backlog may continue for months to come. If you’re still waiting for your card, you’re not alone — you’re one of hundreds of thousands in the same frustrating situation.
Stay updated via the Department of Transport or local licensing offices, and ensure your temporary licence remains valid while you wait.