After months of delays, The National Department of Transport has announced has finally secured a suitable service provider and will soon start printing new driving license cards.  Idemia Identity and Security South Africa will produce the country’s new smart driving licence cards.

This appointment, approved on 8 August 2024, marks a significant step in the government’s effort to enhance safety and security features in the national driving licence system.

According to the Department of Transport, Idemia will soon enter into a service level agreement, which will detail the infrastructure and system requirements necessary for the project.

“More information in terms of the time frames will thereafter be made available to the public once the service agreement has been signed,” the department’s spokesperson, Colleen Msibi stated.

The selection of Idemia follows a rigorous procurement process that began on 5 April 2023 with the advertisement of a tender for the production of the smart driving licence cards.

The tender closed on 5 May 2023, attracting five bidders: Ren-form Corporate Print Media, Nec Xon Systems (Pty) Ltd, Muehlbauer ID Services, Gemalto Altron Fintech Southern Africa, and Idemia. Departmental spokesperson, Colleen Msibi, says bids were subjected to a thorough evaluation and adjudication process, which included an audit to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and policies.

Msibi says the decision to centralise the production of new driving licences is based on cost considerations and the need to minimise the risk of fraud and corruption. This move aligns with the Cabinet’s approval on 30 August 2022 to develop a new driving licence card for the country.

The Transport Department faced initial challenges in securing a service provider, as highlighted by an unsuccessful tender process in November 2022.

“The above bid was advertised on 10 November 2022. This bid process was unsuccessful, resulting in a re-advertisement of the bid on 5 April 2023,” the department explained in a June statement.

However, with the appointment of Idemia, the department is optimistic about the future of the smart driving licence card initiative.

In a statement issued on Monday, 10 June 2024, the department reassured the public of its commitment to transparency and due diligence throughout the bidding process.

“The department pleads for patience as it is prohibited by law not to poke its nose into the affairs of the bidding committees. The department will pronounce on this matter when all processes have been completed.”

According to reports, the new licence cards were initially scheduled for a pilot phase between November 2023 and March 2024 under former Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. However, delays have pushed the launch date.