The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has announced the introduction of online payments and home delivery for vehicle and driver’s licence renewals on the NaTIS online booking system.
Fleet operators, financial institutions and insurance companies will also soon be able to register vehicles in their names and request vehicle crash reports online.
The RTMC made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday saying that the new development was designed to enhance online renewals and bookings to create “a seamless booking experience when using online booking services”.
The developments form part of measures designed in response to the Covid-19 virus outbreak and strict regulations regarding avoiding crowds and social distancing.
“The absence of online payments made it impossible for South Africans to renew their licences without physically going to DLTCs. The introduction of online payments means that one can avoid long queues and simply renew online, make a payment and opt for home delivery,” RTMC said.
“Individuals and corporates will be able to register their account online. Thereafter they will pay the required amount for a vehicle disc renewal online. This payment will be allocated against their account. Once the payment is concluded, the vehicle licence disc will either be posted or couriered to the owner of the vehicle at an additional fee,” RTMC said.
Motorists will soon also be able to pay the prescribed driver’s licence card renewal fee online, before visiting a licensing centre to have fingerprints and photographs taken and to do eye tests.
Online registration and notice of change of vehicle ownership will also be offered as an online service.
“Participating financial institutions will be able to register vehicles online (as titleholders). This will eliminate the process of registering at a registering authority. The online vehicle registration fee will be levied on all registrations performed by financial institutions, motor dealers, insurance companies and large fleet operators,” the RTMC said.
The online registration function will allow an approved entity the ability to register a vehicle in its name as the title holder.
“This online registration and release of titleholder function will allow identified institutions to record the event real time and ensure that the integrity of NaTIS information is enhanced and maintained. The process is also fully automated, representing a significant saving in costs for the old and new title holder,” the corporation said.
Motorists and insurance companies will also be able to pay online to receive an online crash report.
“In September 2019, the RTMC developed the Online Crash Reporting Application, which allows members of the public to report minor crashes online without having to visit a South African Police Service station. This platform also allows members of the public to retrieve their own crash information - and the same applies to insurance companies,” the RTMC said.
It has not yet released the date on which the online service system will go live.
