Durban: KwaZulu-Natal motorists are being urged to transition to the new vehicle licence plate system by November 30, 2025 to avoid complications with vehicle renewals and legal issues.
Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, reminded motorists that failing to voluntarily migrate to the new system could result in challenges when renewing their vehicle licences.
When the system first came into operation last year, motorists could request a new registration number or choose to keep the old one.
Duma however explained that vehicle licence renewals from December 1 last year would see new registration numbers being automatically generated.
"Any renewal that is done from 1 December 2024 will be issued with a new registration number if they have not voluntarily migrated," Duma confirmed.
In addition to this, Duma warned that vehicles which displayed mismatched licence discs and number plates would be deemed illegal.
“It is illegal to use a vehicle that has a licence disc that does not match the number plate,” he said.
However, he noted one exception: "The only permissible explanation that may be accepted by enforcement is when the motorist would have just been issued with a new number and they are in transit to purchase the number plate from the merchant."
He added that motorists therefore needed to ensure they timeously purchase new number plates once they receive updated registration numbers.
“Number plates are sold by independent merchants throughout the province and are not issued by the Department,” Duma clarified.
The department’s public notice also states:
- Motorists with specific personalised plates (e.g., NP1234) must ensure they switch to the new system by the final deadline, or their numbers will be forfeited without reimbursement.
For cases where plates are reported stolen, Duma added: “Motorists with specific licence numbers that were purchased, which are currently circulated as stolen by SAPS, may apply for a free personalised license number.”
The department has urged motorists to transition early to avoid congestion closer to the deadline.
"The deadline is still 30 November 2025," Duma stated.
Motorists are advised to visit their nearest merchants or contact the Department of Transport for further details.