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[POLITICS] · South Africa · 3 sources

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South Africa to restrict use of driving licences as ID

Department of Transport Traffic Register Number National Road Traffic Regulations identification documents South Africa

The South African National Department of Transport intends to amend the National Road Traffic Regulations to prevent Traffic Register Number (TRN) certificates, learner’s licences, and driving licences from being used as general identification documents.

The move follows a 2023 joint investigation with the Department of Home Affairs that uncovered widespread misuse of these documents. While TRNs were created to allow individuals without South African identity numbers to conduct road traffic transactions on the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) while finalizing their legal status, they were not intended to serve as official identity documents.

Minister Barbara Creecy stated that the department has already blocked 300,000 inactive or fraudulent TRNs. The department is now in a second phase, requesting that holders of remaining numbers verify their details with Home Affairs. The proposed amendments aim to align road traffic legislation with the Identification Act of 1997, which designates Home Affairs as the sole authority for issuing identification.

Entities

Barbara Creecy · Department of Home Affairs · Department of Transport · South Africa

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The proposed changes aim to align road traffic legislation with the Identification Act of 1997. www.sanews.gov.za
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Driving licences, learner’s licences, and TRN certificates may no longer be used as general identification. satrucker.co.za · www.sanews.gov.za
  • [● 2 SOURCES] TRNs were created to allow people without South African identity numbers to conduct road traffic transactions. satrucker.co.za · www.sanews.gov.za
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The National Department of Transport intends to amend the National Road Traffic Regulations. satrucker.co.za · www.sanews.gov.za
  • [● 3 SOURCES] A 2023 investigation with the Department of Home Affairs uncovered widespread misuse of TRNs. satrucker.co.za · www.enca.com · www.sanews.gov.za
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The department has blocked 300,000 inactive or fraudulent TRNs. www.enca.com

Sources

New Rules Could Stop Foreign Nationals From Using TRNs And Driving Licences As ID Documents [satrucker.co.za]
Department to scrap use of drivers’ licences as ID [www.enca.com]
Government to amend regulations to prevent traffic documents being used as identification [www.sanews.gov.za]