A Professional Driving Permit (PDP) is necessary to drive commercial vehicles in South Africa, such as buses and taxis. Driving with an expired PDP might lead to severe punishment, so drivers must renew PDP on a regular basis and traffic department online booking before renewal is needed. In this article, we will introduce how to make a PDP renewal online booking.
PDP Renewal Requirements
Applicants do not need a driving test to renew PDP, but eye testing and fingerprint capturing are needed. The professional driving permit ensures the driver’s qualification and capability to drive a passenger vehicle or truck, which applies to the following car categories.
- Breakdown vehicles.
- Vehicles with more than 12 seats (driver’s seat included).
- Vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of more than 3,500 kg.
- Vehicles transporting dangerous goods.
- Vehicles used for public transportation, tourism, or hospitality, such as taxis, buses, minibusses, shuttles, tour buses, safari vehicles, etc.
- Special vehicles, such as ambulances or police cars, but vehicles for road buildings and agricultural machinery are excluded.
When to Renew PDP in South Africa
The PDP is valid for 2 years. There is an expiry date on the front of the permit. You are supposed to renew it at least 4 weeks before the expiry date. If your existing PDP has expired and the new one remains to be issued, you can obtain a temporary driving license from the Driving License Testing Center (DLTC) which will be issued on the spot and extra fees might be charged.
Documents for PDP Renewal
PDP renewal is similar to new applications. To renew PDP, you should hand in the following documents.
- An original and photocopy of a valid proof of identity, such as a South African ID, driver’s license, or passport.
- An existing professional driving permit with the same driver’s license codes as the new permit you want.
- Eye test report indicating that you satisfy the eyesight standard to drive.
- Proof of address, such as utility bills, lease agreements, or credit card statements. If the document is not in your name, an affidavit from the owner should be attached to indicate that you are residing at the stated premises/address.
- A letter from the ward councilor with a date stamp (in the case of living at informal settlement).
- 4 recent black-and-white ID photographs or contact DLTC and confirm how many photos are needed.
- Payment receipt of the renewal fees.
NaTIS PDP Renewal Online Booking
National Administration Traffic Information Systems (NaTIS) is an online portal that stores and manages affairs related to vehicle registration and driver’s licenses. It allows you to book an appointment for PDP renewal without stepping out of home. Here is a step-by-step guide for PDP renewal online booking.
- Visit the official website of NaTIS and register or log in.
- Click on the “Book now for PrDP Application”.
- Provide the required information, including identity type, ID number, name, and driver’s license category.
- Choose the nearest DLTC office, proper date, and time from the available slots.
- Provide the required information about your vehicle and driving license.
- Review the details that are provided before. If everything is correct, confirm it and continue paying the application fees.
- Receive a confirmation email or receipt that contains traffic department online booking information, a list of required documents, and other tips. Print it out and bring it to the DLTC.
- Attend the appointment as scheduled and bring all necessary documents and items stated in the confirmation email/receipt.
Please note that the online system might break down at some time. In this case, you are supposed to contact the Transport Administration and Licensing helpdesk at 0860 142 142 or services@westerncape.gov.za to report the error and ask for more details.
Renew PDP Online in Gauteng
Currently, online PDP renewal is only available for Gauteng residents and it could be done on the NaTIS official website. Here are the general procedures.
- Fill out the necessary forms for PDP application and medical examination.
- Take an eye test at DLTC or a certified optometrist and obtain the result.
- Pay the renewal fees online or through bank transfer.
- Request a conviction report at the nearest police office. If you have submitted fingerprints at DLTC, the digital records will be sent to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and you will receive the fingerprint clearance electronically.
- Submit all required documents to the authority and wait for approval.
- Collect the renewed driving permit in a few weeks.
PrDP Fingerprint Clearance
Fingerprint clearance is an essential part of background checks aiming to verify that an individual is not involved in any criminal that disqualifies him/her from holding a PDP. With a new SMS service launched by Afiswitch, things are becoming easier through the following few steps.
- Applicants submit fingerprints at the DLTC.
- The fingerprints are sent to the South African Police Service (SAPS) through Afiswitch.
- SAPS checks the criminal record by scanning the fingerprints. Once cleared, the result will be sent to the licensing office.
How Long Does PDP Renewal Take
The processing time ranges from 1-3 months. It might be longer when there are too many cases or when extra proof is required. After submitting the application, you can check the status through the NaTIS portal. Once the new PDP is ready, please bring your ID card and official receipt to collect it.
PDP Renewal Price 2024
It costs about R250 to renew PDP. However, the total renewal fees might differ slightly depending on where you apply. Please contact the licensing office to confirm the exact amount. As for payment methods, it is suggested to pay with a credit or debit card.
FAQ
Can you apply for a temporary PDP license?
Yes. If you renew your PDP after it expires and haven’t received the new one, you are supposed to obtain a temporary PDP license.
📢Read Also: SA PDP Requirements, Application & Online Booking
What’s contact detail for PDP renewal online booking?
Applicants must provide a phone number and email address. Make sure they are authentic and correct, otherwise, you will fail to receive an OTP or confirmation receipt.
How long do fingerprints take to come back for a PDP?
Most of them are completed within 48 hours to issue a renewed PDP. Applicants will receive an SMS stating that the fingerprint clearance result has been forwarded to DLTC.
Conclusion
It is necessary to renew PDP timely in case of violating the traffic rules and being punished. Compared with walk-in applications, PDP renewal online booking in advance prevents people from gathering in the licensing offices and waiting for hours, which can be fulfilled on NaTIS. After application, you can also check the case status on this website. We hope this passage will help you get a new PDP quickly.