Reports from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) show a positive response to the new online booking system to obtain driver’s licences at the Centurion licensing station.
“A total of 663 out of 3 128 persons have pre-booked on the system, which shows a 21 percent uptake over three days since the system went live,” said Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi.
The Department of Transport and its agency, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), recently launched the NaTIS Online Booking Services at the Centurion Licensing Station in Pretoria.
Developed by the RMTC, the system will see motorists making pre-bookings online for the renewal of their driver’s licences and learner licences. For now, the service will only be available to Gauteng drivers.
“The new online booking system has several advantages for the residents of Gauteng. It reduces the waiting times at the Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs). We know that currently people wait between four to six hours, if not more, to get through the process of applying for a learners or drivers’ licence, or to renew their driving licences,” the MEC said.
On Tuesday, Vadi Tabled the Annual Reports of the Department of Roads and Transport in the Gauteng Legislature.
He said the online booking system allows for personal flexibility, choice and convenience.
An applicant can choose an appropriate date, time and place for conducting the various testing functions. Additionally the online service will reduce the possibility for corrupt practices.
“The interesting fact is that we have had high interest in the online booking system from areas such as Kliptown, Temba and Mabopane. I have no doubt that this technological solution will have a very positive impact on reducing waiting times at the DLTCs,” the MEC said.
According to the Infrastructure Report by the South African Institute of Civil Engineering (SAICE) for 2017, the Gauteng’s provincial road network has improved.
“It is gratifying that 71% of Gauteng’s paved network has been rated in the ‘fair’ to ‘very good’ categories. This shows that the proactive approach of the department’s construction and maintenance units is yielding positive results,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
