By 
JOHANNESBURG — In a bid to clear administrative backlogs and bring greater economic stability to South Africa’s economic hub, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has successfully handed over 211 valid operating licences to compliant public transport operators ahead of its mid-August deadline.
The special handover drive, which ran from Wednesday, 12 August to Friday, 14 August 2026, covered major economic hubs including the Cities of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane, and the Sedibeng District. The initiative forms part of a broader regulatory push that has seen over 3,000 operating licences distributed to minibus taxi and scholar transport operators across the province since November 2025.
Driving Legal and Economic Emancipation
For public transport operators, legal compliance is not merely a regulatory formality; it is a vital safeguard for their livelihoods. Under Sections 54 and 62 of the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, operating a public transport service on South African roads for a fee without a valid permit is illegal.
Highlighting the structural connection between regulatory framework efficiency and economic mobility, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, noted that securing a valid operating licence is a fundamental “tool of economic participation and emancipation”.
“These ceremonies were more than just formalities but served as testament to our commitment to rebuilding a licensing system that is efficient, transparent, and fair,” Diale-Tlabela said. She emphasized that streamlining internal administrative and operational processes is crucial to restoring order, enhancing service standards, and reducing costly turnaround times for local transport businesses.
Stricter Enforcement and Final Call for Uncollected Permits
While hundreds of operators moved quickly to formalize their operations, the Department signalled a firm stance on non-compliance. A total of 108 issued licences remained uncollected by the August 14 deadline. In accordance with the relevant legislative frameworks, these uncollected permits are now in line for formal cancellation subject to statutory administrative processes.
To achieve high collection rates prior to the deadline, the GDRT executed multi-channel outreach campaigns. These included direct SMS notifications, engagement sessions with taxi associations and scholar transport operators, and regional awareness programmes where permits were handed out directly on-site.
To prevent licence cancellations, the Department has issued a final call to remaining applicants who have not yet retrieved their permits. Operators are urged to visit their local Transport Operating Licence Administrative Body (TOLAB) office with an official application receipt or ID copy to verify their status:
- Johannesburg / Sedibeng Region: Life Centre Building, 45 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg
- Tshwane Region: 230 Lilian Ngoyi Street, Pretoria Central
- Ekurhuleni Region: 01 Hardach Street, Germiston
- West Rand Region: Corner Kagiso Drive and Moses Street
By standardizing licensing procedures and enforcing compliance, provincial authorities aim to create a safer, more reliable, and commercially sustainable public transport network across Gauteng.
