How to Check Outstanding Vehicle Licence Fees Online and If There’s Penalty to Pay

Motorists in South Africa are required by law to pay for their license fees every year. But if, for any reason, you find yourself on the wrong side of the law as a motorist, you would be made to face the consequences of your actions. Having outstanding vehicle licence fees is not something to be proud of, but if you find yourself in such a situation, there are certain things you need to know.

First, you must look for a way to clear the outstanding fees and be ready to make some financial commitments because there is no way it can be cleared without you making some payments. Once the payment goes through, you will be cleared instantly, and you can go ahead to move your vehicle around without worry.

What Does It Mean To Have Outstanding Vehicle Licence Fees?

As a motorist, if you have outstanding vehicle license fees, it means there are some pending licensing fees that you suppose to pay for but have not done so. In other words, you owe the licensing office and are yet to clear the debt.

There are several reasons motorists end up having some outstanding fees to their name in the licensing office. Some of them include failure to comply with any direction or instruction issued by a licence officer, using a driver’s licence that contradicts the provisions of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) Act, driving with an expired license, and failure to pay for the penalty for an expired license.

Can I Check My Outstanding Vehicle Licence Fees Online?

First and foremost, you can always get to find out how much your outstanding licence fees have amounted to at any time. Yes, once your vehicle is registered, and your data is available at the office, you can always go there to make inquiries and do other things.

After a thorough search, we couldn’t find any online platform where motorists can precisely find out about their outstanding vehicle license fees. Nonetheless, there is a way out. The city of Cape Town, for instance, allows motorists in the city to renew their driver’s licence online through the eServices portal. If you are in or around the city, you can see if there is a provision made for checking outstanding vehicle license fees.

If there is an available option for it, then go ahead and provide the requirements. Remember, you need to have at least a valid ID. As stipulated by Cape Town, you need to register on the platform first and then have the following handy to access the eServices portal:

• A copy of your ID
• Proof of residence
• Your car’s details
• Also, you are expected to make a payment using the banking details provided to you via email. You can do an EFT using online banking or also make a direct deposit at any bank.

Secondly, there are many online platforms where motorists renew their vehicle licences and do other things. You can find your way to their website and see if you can find out about your outstanding vehicle licence fees. These online platforms are Easy Renew, First National Bank, Motor Hero, as well as Renew.

If the methods above didn’t work out, you might have to visit the nearest post office to have one-on-one contact with the concerned licensing officer. Remember, there are some retail stores (apart from the post office) where you can renew and sort out other vehicle licensing issues. Services at these stores are made possible by Renewonline, an online renewal portal. The stores include selected Spar stores, Safari Outdoor stores, PostNet outlets, and Pick ‘n Pay branches.

What Is The Penalty For Late Payment of Outstanding Vehicle Fees?

One thing that is certain is that there is a penalty for leaving your outstanding vehicle fees unpaid. Unfortunately, we can’t tell the exact amount that the penalty charges accrue every month. You will get to find out if you visit the licencing office.

In the case of an expired license disc, motorists are given a 21-day grace period, which starts from the expiry date of their current licence disc. A late renewal penalty applies after the 21 days, and the penalty fee is calculated at 1/10th of the yearly licencing fee per month that the licence remains unpaid.

Licence Fees In Gauteng Is Determined By The Kind Of Vehicle One Drives

In South Africa, license fees vary according to the weight of the vehicle, and from province to province. In Gauteng, the total annual license fee for a car of 1 000 kilograms, but not exceeding 1 250 kilograms, costs motorists R432.00 while a large SUV owner whose vehicle weighs in at 2 500 kg but not exceeding 2 750 kg, will fork out R1 416.00 for licence fee.

The table below outlines the exact amount owners of different vehicles will pay for license fees in the province.

A Vehicle Licence In South Africa Costs R72

In September 2021, the South African Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula announced the transaction fee for a vehicle license is R72. The fee was introduced in 2007 at R30. The figure skyrocketed to R82 in 2019, leading to a public outcry.

In addition, local registering authorities (licensing centers) are expected to pay the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) a transaction fee for each motorist it processes, according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation Act. This particular transaction will be subsequently passed on to motorists and then added to their basic annual licence fee (R72).

Motorists Are Penalized For Expired Car Licence In South Africa

Driving a car with an expired licence in South Africa attracts a fine. If, for any reason, you fail to renew your car licence after it expires, you will be penalized, and the fee is derived at using 1/10th of the yearly licencing fee per month that the licence remains expired.

If your licence has expired, you have until 21 days to renew it. It is at the expiration of this grace period that you would be made to face the penalty.

You Can Renew Your Licence With Outstanding Fines

Most motorists are always interested to know if they would have to renew their licence even when they have outstanding fines. Well, the answer is yes. You can go ahead and do the needful. The only time this might not be possible is when there is an enforcement order against you.

Drivers are advised to check from time to time if they have an outstanding fine as it will help them pay up or contest it before making a renewal. Whether it is traffic fines or any other one, you are allowed to renew your licence and clear the debt later.