License Card expired?

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ALFAHOLIC

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Damn...it expired in Nov 2009...the license card, not the disc on the windscreen, the license card you always keep in your car that has your face on...

I didn't know these things expire!!! I went to the traffic Department...and they said I must go to the testing station to get it changed? WTF?

Anyone has any idea how much this crap is going to cost me?

Are there forms I should fill out?

Holla at me.
 
ALFAHOLIC said:
Damn...it expired in Nov 2009...the license card, not the disc on the windscreen, the license card you always keep in your car that has your face on...
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You mean your drivers license? The one you keep on you whenever you drive ANY car - not just your own?

It's valid for 5 years, after which you have to pay around R200 and pass the eye-test. You do all of it at the traffic dept. and ask them to issue you a temp license until yours is ready for collection.
 
DAMN...immagine the queueueueueuues there now...hell

I think I should go somme now
 
8 months FFS - I can't really go now...I drive without a front numberplate and imagine if I rock up there with no front plate...have to wash car 1st before putting it back on then I'll go there on Wednesday.
 
ALFAHOLIC said:
8 months FFS - I can't really go now...I drive without a front numberplate and imagine if I rock up there with no front plate...have to wash car 1st before putting it back on then I'll go there on Wednesday.
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I think thats exaggerated, I got mine last year in 3 weeks.

But just hope you can get a temp license else you need to redo it all over again. Also phone your insurance as you need to be more scared of them than the local law.

Also be careful as you are now legally guilty for any and all accidents you are involved with. So if some taxi t-bones your car and someone dies, your held accountable for not only the costs but for the death regardless of who caused it.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
Also be careful as you are now legally guilty for any and all accidents you are involved with. So if some taxi t-bones your car and someone dies, your held accountable for not only the costs but for the death regardless of who caused it.
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Important that! Insurance won't pay, you'll have to pay out of your own pocket for any damages, etc.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
I think thats exaggerated, I got mine last year in 3 weeks.

But just hope you can get a temp license else you need to redo it all over again. Also phone your insurance as you need to be more scared of them than the local law.

Also be careful as you are now legally guilty for any and all accidents you are involved with. So if some taxi t-bones your car and someone dies, your held accountable for not only the costs but for the death regardless of who caused it.
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No man that's just stupid ... WHy? Coz my drivers License DISC expired? That's a stupid law...
 
You're effectively driving without a license, so all the same laws apply.

Insurance aren't going to pay out if an unlicensed driver (you) is driving your car. Better get it sorted out asap.
 
ALFAHOLIC said:
No man that's just stupid ... WHy? Coz my drivers License DISC expired? That's a stupid law...
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It's a license to say you're allowed to drive.

Imagine we didn't have to renew it and a 95 year old ballie who goes blind in the next 5 years and doesn't have to get his eyes tested. He prangs into you...what will you shout? "he shouldn't be allowed to drive". And that's why this law is in place.

It's simple, it just gets your more recent photo on it and checks your eyes. Nothing major. But as mentioned, if you leave it outstanding for too long, you may have to redo your entire learners & drivers test. Sounds like fun, huh?

Sadly a stupid law is still a law.

If I were you I'd park my car in the garage and lock it away and use the bus until I get my license sorted again. Insurance won't pay out, all accidents are your liability. Imagine an Aston Martin skips a robot and prangs into you...you pay out of your pocket. Not your insurance.
 
You still are a licensed driver!
You just have no valid proof!
Your insurance is still intact!
It should only take 3 to 4 weeks to get a new one.
You can receive a fine for not being able to show a valid license.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
Also be careful as you are now legally guilty for any and all accidents you are involved with. So if some taxi t-bones your car and someone dies, your held accountable for not only the costs but for the death regardless of who caused it.
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Reality check: in such a clear cut case I don't think there's a magistrate in the country who would hold you liable for the death of someone so clearly caused by another party just because your drivers licence has expired. Magistrates and judges are allowed to use common sense and discretion.
 
bboy said:
You still are a licensed driver!
You just have no valid proof!
Your insurance is still intact!
It should only take 3 to 4 weeks to get a new one.
You can receive a fine for not being able to show a valid license.
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Yep thats what I thought - I had an accident with an expired license insurance was all good.
They can only fine you - you're still a licensed driver.
Renewed mine the other day in Cape Town took me 5 weeks to get mine.
 
Ry4n said:
Yep thats what I thought - I had an accident with an expired license insurance was all good.
They can only fine you - you're still a licensed driver.
Renewed mine the other day in Cape Town took me 5 weeks to get mine.
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Exactly. If your passport expires, does that mean you are no longer a South African citizen? No. The passport is merely proof of your citizenship. Likewise your drivers licence is merely proof of your entitlement to drive.
 
deweyzeph said:
Exactly. If your passport expires, does that mean you are no longer a South African citizen? No. The passport is merely proof of your citizenship. Likewise your drivers licence is merely proof of your entitlement to drive.
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Not quite the same. You do not need a passport to "operate" as a South African citizen...;)

ALFA, get the bloody thing sorted ASAP, and hope like hell that some silly sod doesn't insist that you re-take your test...
 
deweyzeph said:
Reality check: in such a clear cut case I don't think there's a magistrate in the country who would hold you liable for the death of someone so clearly caused by another party just because your drivers licence has expired. Magistrates and judges are allowed to use common sense and discretion.
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Sadly I'm talking about reality and the law. If the other driver is licensed (and yes, some taxi drivers even have their PDPs) and your not, you immediately become responsible.

Many people have ruined their lives this way by not driving with a legal licence !!!
 
bboy said:
You still are a licensed driver!
You just have no valid proof!
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Be careful of handing out such advice. Its against the law in this country to operate a vehicle without a legal licence!

bboy said:
Your insurance is still intact!
It should only take 3 to 4 weeks to get a new one.
You can receive a fine for not being able to show a valid license.
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This is a lie. The majority of insurance contracts will only pay you out if you have a legal licence at the time of the accident. Some more bad advice.

Rather speak to your own insurance before you allow others to let you believe you are covered in such a situation.
 
Ry4n said:
Yep thats what I thought - I had an accident with an expired license insurance was all good.
They can only fine you - you're still a licensed driver.
Renewed mine the other day in Cape Town took me 5 weeks to get mine.
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The charge is "driving without a legal licence". This is the same charge if you did not have licence at all.
 
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