By JOHANNESBURG — In a major push to reform driver training and streamline licensing services, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has announced plans to establish a dedicated Driving School Technical Committee alongside a pilot test of an improved book-and-pay system.
The initiatives were unveiled following high-level consultations held on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at Koedoespoort. Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela met with key industry stakeholders, joined by Rand West City MMC Bruce Nimmerhoudt and Sedibeng District Municipality MMC Ntjanyana Phala, to tackle long-standing grievances plaguing the provincial licensing ecosystem.
Tackling Booking Irregularities and System Failures
The current licensing landscape in Gauteng has faced persistent criticism over technical bottlenecks, system downtimes, and limited online booking slots. During the stakeholder engagement, driving school operators voiced deep-seated concerns regarding booking irregularities and inadequate training facilities—issues that stakeholders argued undermine the overall integrity of the system.
To counter these hurdles, the Department is rolling out a pilot of an enhanced book-and-pay system specifically targeted at the Edenvale and Marlboro Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs). Additionally, authorities are exploring the implementation of a dedicated driving school business account.
This financial mechanism is designed to support legitimate operators while simultaneously preserving fair and equitable public access to essential licensing services.
MEC Diale-Tlabela emphasized that sporadic meetings must transition into institutionalized, structural reform.
“We cannot continue meeting without making meaningful progress. We need a structured forum where government and the driving school industry can address challenges openly, agree on responsibilities and work together towards a professional, transparent and accountable licensing environment,” said Diale-Tlabela.
Strengthening Industry Regulation and Road Safety
With the Department’s database currently recording more than 454 driving schools across Gauteng, oversight has become a critical priority. Officials highlighted that the National Road Traffic Amendment Act, 2024 (Act 8 of 2024), provides a robust legal foundation for the mandatory registration and grading of driving schools, significantly tightening the regulatory framework for professional driver training.
Recognizing the sector’s vital economic and social footprint, MEC Diale-Tlabela reiterated the government’s commitment to compliant operators.
“Driving schools are important partners in road safety, skills development and community development. We want to support legitimate businesses, but this must go hand in hand with compliance, ethical conduct and accountability. Our shared responsibility is to ensure that learners receive proper training and become competent, responsible drivers,” she stressed.
Operators have consequently been urged to prioritize official registration and certification, align with professional standards, and collaborate closely with provincial authorities to restore public trust in testing procedures.
Moving from Frustration to Cooperation
The proposed Gauteng Driving School Technical Committee is expected to function as a permanent consultative platform, bridging the gap between state regulators and private operators to resolve operational bottlenecks and uplift the quality of learner-driver preparation.
As the Edenvale and Marlboro booking pilots get underway and the framework for the technical committee takes shape, the province remains optimistic that structural cooperation will yield tangible dividends.
“Our objective is to move from frustration to cooperation and from recurring challenges to practical solutions. By working together, we can strengthen the industry, create opportunities for our communities and make Gauteng’s roads safer,” concluded Diale-Tlabela.
