[imagesource:pexels]

If you’ve ever attempted to renew your driver’s license in South Africa, you know just how much of a massive headache the whole process can be. Thankfully, a new announcement could help speed up the painstaking process.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has secured a temporary suspension of enforcement orders that have been causing road users in SA to face obstacles when attempting to renew their licences.

Many drivers have been left frustrated and unable to renew their licences due to enforcement orders issued against old fines, and now OUTA has found that the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has been converting infringement notices dating as far back as 2019 into enforcement orders, effectively preventing licence renewals.

Basically, it’s been a case of RTIA ‘cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face’.

These enforcement orders are entered into the national vehicle registry system (NaTIS), forcing vehicle owners to settle these outstanding fines before they can proceed with licence renewals. And so we must wait for longer periods of time in ridiculous queues.

This practice, according to OUTA, goes against the prescribed time periods stipulated in the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.

In response to OUTA’s intervention, the RTIA agreed to suspend the enforcement order blocks until an internal investigation is completed.

The process for issuing enforcement orders is clearly outlined in the AARTO Act. It involves steps such as issuing an infringement notice to the infringer, followed by a courtesy letter if no action is taken within 32 days. RTIA were jumping the gun when it came to these letters, neglecting to follow the protocol stating that only if the infringer continues to ignore the fine can an enforcement order be issued.

OUTA emphasised the importance of motorists checking the AARTO website regularly for infringement notices and following the correct steps. It’s crucial for drivers to understand that licence renewals cannot be blocked by outstanding AARTO infringement notices, and they are within their rights to report any such incidents to the RTIA or OUTA.

Know yo’ rights, people.

Furthermore, the RTIA clarified that motorists cannot be arrested for outstanding traffic infringements unless a warrant of arrest is presented by the official.

While the investigation into the matter continues, South African road users can count our lucky stars as the enforcement order barriers are temporarily lifted, ensuring a smoother renewal process.

That’s a little bit of breathing room for SA that we can all appreciate. Phew.

[source:businesstech]