South Africa’s Department of Transport plans to stop drivers’ licences from being used as a general form of identification.
The department has proposed amendments to the National Road Traffic Regulations that would prevent traffic register number (TRN) certificates, learners’ licences and driving licences from being used as general forms of identification.
The proposed changes have raised questions about whether driving licences will still be accepted for boarding flights. However, it remains unclear whether the amendments will have any implications for air travel.
An investigation in 2023 uncovered widespread misuse of Traffic Register Numbers (TRNs) and other road traffic documents as forms of identification. The investigation found that some institutions were accepting TRNs and driving licences as general identification documents.
“The TRN was created solely to enable people without a South African identity number to transact on the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) for road traffic purposes while finalising their legal status with Home Affairs. It was never intended to serve as general identification,” the Department of Transport said.
The proposed amendments will be published for public comment and interested parties and affected institutions will have 30 days from the date of publication in the Government Gazette to submit written comments.
