Vehicles, licensing and transport - dates and guides
How to renew a vehicle licence disc, book a learner's or driver's licence test, check and dispute traffic fines, and pass a roadworthy test in South Africa.
A South African vehicle licence disc runs for twelve months and can be renewed up to two months before it expires. There is a 21-day grace period after expiry, then penalties. You can renew at a registering authority, a participating Post Office or an approved online channel, and you must show the renewal notice or proof of the vehicle’s details.
Last reviewed 2026-10-13 · next scheduled review 2026-10-14
- Renewal window
- 2 months early
- Grace period
- 21 days
- Driver’s licence card
- collect within 120 days
Coming up
Nothing dated in this section is upcoming right now. See the full Dates Centre or check back after the next scheduled source review.
Vehicles, Licensing & Transport guides
- How to renew a vehicle licence disc in South Africa: dates, fees and the 21-day rule When a disc can be renewed, the 21-day grace period, what to take to the licensing office or Post Office, and what happens if you drive with a lapsed disc.
- Learner’s licence and driver’s licence: the full process, step by step How to get a learner’s licence, book the driver’s licence test, the 120-day card collection rule, and what to do when a licence card expires or is lost.
- Roadworthy certificate: when you need one, what is checked, and what it costs When a roadworthy certificate is required, what the test checks, how long the certificate lasts, what it costs and how to prepare a vehicle for it.
- Traffic fines explained: AARTO, the old court system, and what to do about a fine How traffic fines work in South Africa, the difference between AARTO infringements and court-issued fines, what a notice tells you, and how demerit points work.
Who actually runs these services
Find SA Status explains and links. We do not run any of these services and cannot act on your behalf. For anything that needs action - an application, a payment, a status check - go directly to the official body.
- RTMC (opens in a new tab) www.rtmc.co.za/
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