For almost six years, OUTA has consistently called for the validity period of ordinary driving licence cards to be extended from five years to ten.

We backed our case with international research, engaged directly with government, presented evidence to the Minister of Transport and continued pushing for reform as motorists endured licensing backlogs, printer failures and unnecessary bureaucracy.

Cabinet has now approved the change, marking an important victory for common sense and for the many South Africans who supported our work over the years.

The change is not yet in effect, and motorists must continue renewing their driving licence cards under the current rules until the necessary legal amendments are published.

This achievement is another reminder that lasting reform rarely happens overnight. It happens because citizens support organisations willing to keep asking the difficult questions, presenting credible evidence and refusing to give up when government is slow to act.

Every report we published, every meeting we attended and every recommendation we submitted was made possible by supporters who believed South Africa deserved a better system. Thank you for making this victory possible.

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