Don't Miss Out: When to Renew Your Motor Vehicle License

A Guide to Renewing Your Car License

It’s that time of year again. Your license disc is about to expire (or it has already), and you’re dreading having to renew it, especially because you have no idea where to begin. Some people simply ignore their motor car license renewal responsibilities only to end up paying hefty fees and fines, and even risking having their cars impounded!

Renewing your car license is an important part of owning a car and driving on our roads. But the process can get pretty confusing and complex. With new laws governing how and when to get your car license renewed, we’re here to help you out.

This guide to renewing your car license will tell you everything you need to know about getting that little disc renewed, including your motor license renewal cost, where you can renew your car license and how to do it in time and the right way.

The need for car licenses

Car licenses must be renewed every year. You can choose to renew your car license online, or in person. The motor vehicle license allows the authorities to keep track of all vehicles on our roads (including private cars, taxis, busses and trucks) and to enforce any penalties and fines on them. If a car license expires, the vehicle's owner may receive fines, penalties and even more severe punishments for failing to renew it.

These licenses help to regulate which cars are on our roads and to ensure all vehicles are legal. They also confirm who the legal owner of the car is, allow authorities to keep a record of their contact details, and to prove that the vehicle has passed the required roadworthy tests.

Driver’s vs car license

People sometimes get confused between the two types of licenses that all drivers and cars need. There are two types of licenses most drivers and car owners are familiar with in South Africa. The driver’s license and the motor vehicle license. So, what’s the difference, and why do we need them?

A driver's license is required for anyone to operate a vehicle on South African roads. This license means that the holder has passed the necessary driver's test and is physically capable of operating a vehicle. It is the card you carry with you whenever you’re driving. Driver's licenses must be renewed every five years and this must be done in person.
The car license, also called a motor vehicle license, is a vehicle registration authorising the vehicle itself to be on our roads. It is issued once the owner of the vehicle has registered it and appears as a round disc that must be displayed on the vehicle. Car licenses must be renewed annually and you can renew a car license online or in person.

Understanding the car license renewal basics

The car license renewal process has undergone some changes over the years. The rules and regulations around these licenses apply to all vehicles and involve some motor license renewal costs in renewing them.

The law

Car licenses are governed by the National Road Traffic Act. The Act says that all vehicles in South Africa must be registered and licensed and that anyone who fails to correctly do so or who does not renew their car’s license may be subject to penalties.

Expiration dates and grace periods

Once a vehicle’s license expires, the owner will be entitled to a 21-day grace period. This means that they have 21 days to renew their license after the date on the disc before becoming liable for penalties.

Early renewal vs. last-minute renewal vs. late renewal

Many drivers choose to renew their licenses before they expire. This is always a good idea as you’ll reduce the risk of the license expiring and may even save on renewal fees. Last-minute renewals are done either just before the license expires or during the 21-day grace period.

Renewing early or at the last minute means you will not face the risk of penalties or having to pay extra fees. Late renewals, however, carry additional fees as well as the chance of being fined for driving a car with an expired vehicle license.

Fees and costs associated with renewal

License renewal fees vary from province to province in South Africa. Different vehicle types, weights and classes are subject to different motor license renewal costs too. Here are some average estimates for license renewal fees per vehicle class for the three big provinces as of mid-2024:

Gauteng

Small vehicles R408 - R642
Medium Sedans R756 - R1,116
Large bakkies R1,344 - R1,716

Western Cape

Small vehicles R372 - R612
Medium Sedans R678 - R1,056
Large bakkies R1,236 - R1,398

KZN

Small vehicles R474 - R672
Medium Sedans R810 - R1,134
Large bakkies R1,350 - R1,764

Click here to learn how much you’ll pay for your car license renewal in your province or region. All you need is to know how heavy your car is and where you can renew your car license. You can find this out by looking at your motor vehicle registration certificate or by Googling the specifications of your car’s model online.

Late fees and penalties

Late fees are calculated at 10% of the annual motor license renewal cost. This is added to the license every month after it expires and can add up, leading to a hefty amount to pay once you choose to renew it. You also stand to lose points on your license for failing to abide by the rules. These points will be deducted according to the proposed license points demerit system, which is due to be introduced soon.

you are caught driving a vehicle with a license disc that expired more than 21 days after the date indicated, you may be fined up to R1,000 by traffic enforcement officials. Failing to display a licence disc or, if it is obscured, carries a R500 fine as well.

Preparing to renew your car license

Every vehicle license renewal follows the same process, irrespective of whether you choose to renew the car license online or in person. But before getting your license renewed, you must ensure:

That you are the registered owner of the vehicle or, if not, that you have permission to renew the vehicle’s license on behalf of the owner. Registered owners will have the vehicle's registration certificate in their possession.
That your car is roadworthy and allowed to operate on the road. This involves testing the vehicle and receiving a roadworthy certificate, which you must produce to register the vehicle.
That any outstanding fines have been paid. You can check if there are any fines linked to the car here.

Once you have checked these basics, you can move onto the renewal process.

How to renew your car license

Curious about where you can renew your car license? You have multiple options to renew your car’s license. This includes renewing it online or in person. You may even pay somebody else to do it for you.

Renew car license online

You can visit your car license online using the National administration traffic information system (NaTIS) online platform. This is an easy option for people looking to avoid having to visit a motor vehicle licensing department in-person.

Here is the process.

Visit https://online.natis.gov.za/#/to login or create a profile
You will need to enter your name, surname, identity number and address details.
Select ‘View Motor Renewals’
Choose the licence disc/car option
Review your licence details and pay
Your renewal will be processed on the same day, and the disc will be couriered to you directly.

There are various other portals and third-party services available, but the NaTIS online platform is the quickest and safest option for motor license renewals.

Renewing in person

You can also choose to renew your car’s license by visiting a motor vehicle traffic and licensing department or a South African Post Office outlet. (Note – Not all Post Offices offer this service. You can check the ones that do here)

You will need the following:

Your ID
Your current or expired license disc
Proof of address
A completed Assessment for Renewal of Motor Vehicle Licence (MVL2). You should have received a form via SMS or email to download (forms are no longer sent in the post).
If you did not receive a notification for your MVL2 form, you will need to complete a new Application for Licensing of Motor Vehicle form (ALV), which you can find here.
The license renewal fees (including any amounts owed for fines and penalties)

Tips to stay organised and prepared with your car license

Here are some helpful tips and pointers to ensure that you stay on top of your car license renewal and don’t end up receiving fines and penalties.

Set annual reminders and calendar alerts to tell you when your license is due to be renewed.
Know where you can renew your car license and when.
Always update any changes to your address or contact information on the NaTIS database.
Keep your records and vehicle documentation in a safe place.
Ensure you have enough money available to cover your motor license renewal cost.
If you lose the disc or it gets damaged, report it immediately so you can get a new one.

Conclusion

Always make sure your car’s license is up to date and avoid allowing it to expire. You can renew your car license online or visit a department, shop or outlet that will do it for you. Although your motor license renewal cost can be little expensive, you only need to follow the steps to renew your license once a year and doing so is likely far cheaper than paying hefty fines and penalties. Always display your disc in a visible position on your car and ensure that your particulars are up to date.

Remember, car licenses are there to ensure that everybody is driving a roadworthy vehicle and that the authorities can keep track of all the cars on our roads. Keep yours up to date and don’t miss your next car license renewal deadline.