Cabinet Approves Proposed Extensions to Driving Licence Validity and Revised Electricity Pricing Policy

Posted 30 July 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Transport & Energy Law

Brought to you by SAnews: Cabinet has approved proposed legislative amendments to extend driving licence card validity for light motor vehicles to 10 years, while also approving the publication of the Revised Electricity Pricing Policy and draft Electricity Sector Market Transformation Position Paper for public comment.

Driving Licence Card Validity Extension

In terms of proposed amendments to regulations under the National Road Traffic Act, No. 93 of 1996, Cabinet has approved extending the validity period of driving licence cards for light motor vehicles and motorcycles from five years to 10 years. The proposed change applies specifically to Codes A, A1, B, and EB driving licences.

The Department of Transport must enact statutory amendments before the 10-year validity period takes legal effect. Motorists are legally required to continue renewing expired driving licence cards under the current five-year regime until the amended regulations are formally promulgated.

The approved policy framework establishes the following renewal rules:

  • Light vehicles and motorcycles (Codes A, A1, B, EB): Card validity will extend from five to 10 years once statutory amendments come into force.
  • Heavy commercial and public transport vehicles: Renewal cycles remain unchanged under existing two-year or five-year statutory frameworks.
  • Professional Driving Permits (PrDP): Validity remains fixed on the standard two-year renewal cycle.

Revised Electricity Pricing Policy and Market Reform

Cabinet has further approved the publication of the Revised Electricity Pricing Policy for public consultation. The draft policy updates the 2008 framework under the Electricity Regulation Act, No. 4 of 2006, reflecting structural reforms introduced by the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, No. 38 of 2024.

The revised pricing policy introduces tariff unbundling across generation, transmission, distribution, and retail activities. It consolidates regulatory pricing arrangements between electricity generators, licensed traders, the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), and distributors under the regulation of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

Cabinet additionally approved the release of the draft Electricity Sector Market Transformation Position Paper for public comment. The paper sets out the implementation framework for transitioning South Africa from a single-buyer model to a multi-market competitive electricity sector in alignment with the Energy Action Plan.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Continue renewing five-year driving licence cards as required under current law until official promulgation of the amended regulations under the National Road Traffic Act.
  • For your business: Fleet operators and logistics businesses employing drivers with Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) or operating heavy vehicles must maintain existing two-year compliance cycles without alteration.
  • For your clients: Advise clients operating in energy supply, trading, or heavy industry to review the draft pricing policy and position paper to submit written representations on NERSA tariff unbundling structures during the public consultation window.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/cabinet-approves-extension-driving-licence-validity-period

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