Cape Town - There’s no telling when motorists outside Cape Town metro will again be reminded to renew their car licence discs.
Since the national Department of Transport became embroiled in a legal battle in 2015 with a company that lost out on the national traffic information system contract, notices to motorists came to an abrupt stop, while the City of Cape Town continued.
The system is the official registry for all vehicle, driving licence, contravention and accident data, and the department was given the go-ahead to transfer the eNatis function to the Road Management Corporation.
Spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said the department had previously sent reminders to motorists as an act of courtesy, but it was still their responsibility to check when their licences expired.
“We are liaising with the post office, but there is no telling when notices will be issued again. The matter is still before the court,” Mnisi said.
Notices were sent by the department, as motorists have to comply with national legislation.
Chaos in vehicle licence renewals
Gansbaai resident Nick Dekker wrote to the Cape Times: “Car owners used to be notified each year at the appropriate date when their car licence had to be renewed so that most people paid in time for the new licence.
“Now, however, the municipality can’t be bothered anymore to notify the car owners when their new licence is due which reduces their postal costs.
“As few car owners know when their licence needs renewing, many of them happily cruise around with expired licences,” Dekker wrote.
Overstrand mayoral committee member for security services Philip Appelgreim said he understood residents’ anger and frustration at the ceasing of reminder notices.
“We are trying to keep residents informed through publishing reminders in our news-letters,” Appelgreim said.
Cape Times