Motoring12.03.2024

Pick n Pay shuts down vehicle licence disc renewals

Pick n Pay has stopped offering vehicle licence disc renewals around two years after it first launched the service.

MyBroadband learnt of the service’s shutdown on 12 March 2024 after being contacted by a member of the Pick n Pay communications team.

They asked that we remove Pick n Pay from a table published on the same day comparing the prices of vehicle licence disc renewals because the retailer “no longer offered this service at present”.

We subsequently visited the online portal motorists could previously use to submit applications for disc renewal via Pick n Pay and were presented with the following message:

“Please note that Pick n Pay no longer offers this service. For any queries, please call 0860 303 030.”

According to a cached version of the web page from 28 November 2023, the retailer had planned to launch a new service at some point.

Most expensive option among major providers

It was unclear when or why the original service was shut down and whether Pick n Pay was still planning a relaunch.

One possible reason for terminating the service was that it did not prove to be as popular as rival offerings due to its high price.

For the first week after launching a pilot of the service, the retailer charged a R345 service fee and R99.99 for delivery via courier, putting the total cost at R444.99

It initially also required that customers visit a Pick n Pay store, as the platform did not support online payments.

The service fee was then reduced to R250, taking the total price down to R349.99. Another R20 price cut followed at a later stage.

Despite the drops, Pick n Pay remained the most expensive of major retailers and other providers offering online disc renewal services.

At the time of publication, the second most expensive was Disky, which charged R239.

It was also over three times the prices charged when renewing through the FNB mobile app or the National Traffic Information System (Natis) Online.

These providers normally charge R99 including the delivery fee, but FNB is currently running a promotion bringing its price down to R69.

The Post Office’s renewal service is also less than half the price that Pick n Pay charged.

Licence disc renewal service price comparison
Provider Availability Service/admin fee Delivery fee Total
FNB Nationwide Included Included R69.00 (promo)
R99.00 (regular)
National Traffic Information System (Natis) Online Nationwide Included R99.00 R99.00
South African Post Office (SapoMVL) Nationwide R72.00 R75.00 R147.00
PayCity Gauteng, City of Cape Town (metro only), Free State, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West Included Included R166.75
Shoprite Money Market Nationwide R110.25 R74.75 R185.00
Spar Unknown (only selected stores) R199.00 Included R199.00
Renewonline Nationwide R100.00 R115.00 R215.00
Capitec Nationwide R122.00 R99.00 R221.00
Disky Nationwide R169.00 R70.00 R239.00
Pick n Pay (discontinued) All except the Western Cape R250.00 R79.99 R329.99

MyBroadband previously noticed numerous poor reviews about Pick n Pay’s licence disc renewal facilitator — Claim Expert — on Hellopeter and Google Reviews in March 2023.

One customer who contacted us directly complained that had applied and paid for a new licence disc via the online facility in December 2022.

Over two months later, he had still not received any communication confirming his application. This was also over a week after he had opened a ticket to complain about the issue.

These delays could have serious financial repercussions for the motorists.

Although they would not have been penalised with additional fees if their renewal was processed before or within 21 days of the expiry date, traffic officials could fine them for driving with an expired disc.

According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, these fines could be as high as R1,000 in most parts of the country, while the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse said the City of Cape Town’s penalties went up to R3,000.

Pick n Pay blamed the delays on load-shedding, reduced staff capacity at licencing offices, and closed periods during the December holiday.

“We have successfully enabled thousands of customers to renew their vehicle licence within 10 working days of receiving payment and necessary supporting documents,” the retailer said.

“Unfortunately, a handful of customers have experienced an unfortunate delay beyond Claim Expert’s control.”

However, it acknowledged that customer queries should always be responded to right away, and any delay should have been communicated.”

“We apologise for any delay and have spoken to Claim Expert so that this improves.”

Update — Pick n Pay responds

Pick n Pay subsequently told MyBroadband the service was suspended in mid-2023.

The retailer said it was always reviewing its services and decided to pause licence renewals until it was satisfied with its “new” offering.

This suggests that Pick n Pay is still planning to relaunch licence disc renewals in the future.

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