A headline circulating widely on social media has sparked concern among motorists, claiming that drivers aged 60 and above will face automatic licence suspension from 5 January 2026 under new renewal rules. However, traffic authorities have not communicated these claims to the public, with neither the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) nor the Department of Transport having announced any age-based licence suspension, automatic penalties, or new medical testing requirements specifically targeting senior drivers.
According to the National Road Traffic Act, driving licence cards in South Africa remain valid for five years, with the same renewal process applying to all motorists unless a driver is declared medically unfit.
At present, there is no official evidence of any new regulations that would result in licences being suspended based solely on age.
What is official
What is official, however, is ongoing discussion around extending the validity period of driving licence cards. The Department of Transport has confirmed that it is considering increasing the renewal cycle from five years to eight years, as outlined in its 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan.
These proposed changes form part of wider policy reforms and technological upgrades aimed at improving efficiency, reducing backlogs at licence testing centres, and strengthening transport infrastructure. Importantly, these discussions do not include age-specific restrictions for any drivers.
Motorists are urged to verify claims through official government sources and trusted media platforms before sharing alarming posts online. For now, senior drivers can be assured that no new licence suspension rules have been introduced, and their renewal requirements remain unchanged.