The Road Freight Association (RFA) has welcomed the decision by the Minister of Transport for granting a further extension for those licences and Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) that expired during the lockdown period.
“We trust that the Minister will consider the proposals made by the RFA to implement a permanent solution to driver and vehicle licence issuing and renewals,” said Gavin Kelly , Chief Executive Officer of The Road Freight Association.
Associations representing vehicle fleet operators (RFA, the SA Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) and the Southern Africa Bus Operators Association (SABOA))has called on the Minister to implement the electronic driver licence – should drivers’ licences not be coupled with the smart ID card as originally intended.
Kelly said the roll-out of the smart driver licence will remove the requirement for an administratively burdensome and costly AARTO system, whilst a smart vehicle registration system will vastly improve licencing and roadworthy compliance.
“Systems must make it efficient and speedy for compliant fleets when being processed through any traffic management requirement, whilst non-compliant and repeat offenders can be administratively delayed – without the creation of an extra financial burden on the law-abiding citizens,” added Kelly.
