South Africa’s Department of Transport has promised to improve service delivery at driving licence testing centres in the country.
This is according to a report by BusinessTech, which covered the department’s presentation to parliament on its Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS).
The most recent version of the MSDS were published in 2020 and aim to improve services provided to citizens.
As part of the department’s plan, it will erect charters at driving licence testing centres with information about what the centres offer.
This includes:
- Services rendered.
- Time frames of service delivery.
- Prices of the services on offer.
- Contact details for complaints and feedback submission.
Additionally, the department stated it will implement the following at local testing centres:
- Clear road signs to show where centres are located.
- Adequate parking facilities, and seating and queuing areas.
- Required forms and documents will be available, free of charge.
- Average wait times will be established.
- Business operating hours will be clearly stated.
- A system to inform clients when their driver’s licence card is ready for collection.
Complaints
The latest presentation from the Department of Transport follows a large number of complaints by South Africans about poor service levels at licence testing centres.
A standout example of this is Gauteng drivers who are unable to book an appointment to renew their driver’s licence online.
Gauteng residents are required to use the Natis online booking system to renew their licence, which is meant to allow them to book a slot at a local driving licence testing centre.
Complaints about the online platform never having available booking slots have streamed in in recent months, however.
Jacob Mamabolo, Gauteng MEC for Public Transport, has admitted that corrupt government officials who “hijack the system” are partly to blame for the booking challenges motorists are facing.
Keyword: We will fix problems at driving licence centres – Government