Licence Office Hours: Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTC) & Motor Vehicle Registration Hours

Finding accurate operating hours for driving licence testing centres (DLTCs) and motor vehicle registration authorities (MVRAs) in South Africa is essential for planning your visit efficiently. Operating hours vary depending on the municipality, province, and facility type—ranging from traditional municipal offices to extended-hour Smart Licensing Centres and drive-through renewal points.

Standard Operating Hours Overview

While specific times differ across locations, most municipal licensing offices observe the following general schedule:

Day	Standard Operating Hours	Cashier & Service Cut-Off
Monday – Friday	07:30 / 08:00 – 15:00 / 15:30	14:00 – 14:30
Saturday	08:00 – 12:00 / 13:00 (select offices)	11:30
Sunday & Public Holidays	Closed (except RTMC flagship centres)	N/A

Crucial Note on Cut-Off Times: Most centres close their payment cashiers, eye-test stations, and queue lines 30 to 60 minutes before the official closing time to process remaining citizens inside the facility.

Smart Licensing Centres & Extended Hours

To tackle backlogs and provide flexible options for working motorists, provincial transport departments and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) have launched modern Smart DLTCs and extended-hour facilities.

Provincial Smart DLTCs (Shopping Malls & Transit Hubs)

Located inside popular shopping centres and Gautrain stations, these modern hubs offer licence card renewals, learner licence testing, and card collection.

• Operating Hours:
  • Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:00
  • Saturday: 09:00 – 15:00
  • Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed
• Key Locations:
  • Johannesburg: Sandton Smart DLTC, Maponya Mall, Protea Glen, Gautrain Midrand Station
  • Tshwane / Pretoria: Denlyn Mall, Atteridgeville Mall
  • West Rand: Umphakathi Mall

RTMC Flagship Extended Centres

Certain flagship facilities operated directly by the RTMC offer extended daily operations.

• Waterfall Park DLTC (Midrand, Gauteng):
  • Operating Hours: 07:00 – 21:00 (Monday to Sunday)
  • Online booking required via the NaTIS portal.

Drive-Through Licence Renewal Facilities

Select cities, such as the City of Cape Town, offer drive-through facilities specifically for motor vehicle licence disc renewals.

• Standard Drive-Through Hours:
  • Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Saturday: 09:00 – 14:00

Regional Operating Hours by Major Metropolitan Area

1. City of Johannesburg (Gauteng)

Municipal DLTCs and MVRAs across Johannesburg generally operate on the following schedule:

• Sandton DLTC & MVRA: Mon–Fri: 07:30 – 15:00 | Sat: 08:00 – 12:30
• Randburg DLTC: Mon–Fri: 08:00 – 15:00 | Sat: Closed
• Langlaagte DLTC: Mon–Fri: 07:30 – 15:00 | Sat: 08:00 – 12:00
• Midrand DLTC: Mon–Fri: 08:30 – 17:00 | Sat: 08:30 – 17:00
• Roodepoort DLTC: Mon–Fri: 07:00 – 15:30 | Sat: 07:30 – 12:00

2. City of Tshwane / Pretoria (Gauteng)

• Akasia Testing Centre: Mon–Sat: 08:00 – 15:00
• Centurion Licensing Services: Mon–Fri: 08:00 – 15:30 | Sat: 08:00 – 10:30
• Temba Testing Centre: Mon–Fri: 07:30 – 16:00 | Sat: Closed

3. Ekurhuleni Municipality (Gauteng)

• Bedfordview & Boksburg Testing Centres: Mon–Fri: 08:00 – 15:00 | Sat: 08:00 – 12:00
• Benoni Testing Centre: Mon–Fri: 08:00 – 15:00 | Sat: 08:00 – 14:00
• Kempton Park & Edenvale Testing Centres: Mon–Fri: 07:30 – 15:30 | Sat: 08:00 – 12:00

4. City of Cape Town (Western Cape)

Walk-in centres and Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) offices across Cape Town typically follow municipal office hours:

• General MVR & Walk-in Offices (e.g., Strand, Civic Centre):
  • Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 15:30 (Payments) / 08:00 – 16:30 (Enquiries)
  • Saturday: 08:00 – 11:30 (select locations only)

Services Available During Operating Hours

Not all services are processed throughout the entire operational window. Depending on the facility, availability is divided into specific slots:

1. Driving Licence Card Renewals & PrDP Applications: Available during standard operating hours; requires physical presence for eye testing and fingerprint capturing.
2. Learner’s & Driving Licence Examinations: Scheduled via specific appointment time slots booked online or at the counter.
3. Card Collection: Generally open during full operational hours at dedicated collection windows.
4. Motor Vehicle Registration & Disc Renewal: Available at MVRA counters and municipal walk-in centres during cashier hours.

Essential Tips for Visiting a Licence Office

• Book Online First: In provinces like Gauteng, slot booking via the online NaTIS portal is mandatory prior to visiting a DLTC for licence renewals or testing.
• Arrive Early: For centres operating on a walk-in basis or issuing daily queue tokens, arriving at or before opening time significantly reduces wait times.
• Confirm Cashier Times: Always plan to complete payments at least one hour before the facility’s official closing time.
• Prepare Required Documentation:
  • Original South African ID document/card or valid passport (+ copies)
  • Existing driving licence card
  • Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement less than 3 months old)
  • Black-and-white ID photos (if required by the specific office or for temporary licence issuance)
  • Completed yellow application form (DL1) or green renewal form (ALV)