POLL | Should South Africa ban the use of driving licences as general ID?

Share current article via EmailShare current article via FacebookShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInTimesLIVEEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandDriver’s licences could soon no longer be used as a form of identification. File picture The department of transport has published proposed amendments to national road traffic regulations that would officially strip driving licences, learner’s licences and traffic register number (TRN) certificates of their status as general identification documents.

If finalised, documents issued under road traffic legislation will be strictly restricted to road traffic-related transactions.

This means institutions including banks, airports, security gates and residential estates would have to update their entry and verification rules, forcing citizens to rely exclusively on official home affairs documents such as Smart ID cards, green books and passports for identification.

While the department argued the move is necessary to align with the Identification Act and curb system abuse, it has sparked debate over convenience versus tighter administrative controls.

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