Transport department wants to ban licences as form of general identification

The department of transport is proposing amendments to road traffic regulations that would prevent traffic register number (TRN) certificates, learner’s and driving licences from being used as general identification documents.

Once the amendments come into effect, institutions including banks, Airports Company South Africa, offices and residential estates would have to review their policies and systems to ensure they comply with the new requirements.

According to the department, the proposed changes aim to tighten controls on the use of road traffic documents after an investigation that uncovered widespread abuse of traffic register numbers, which were being used as a form of identification.

Department spokesperson Collen Msibi said the amendments sought to ensure that documents issued under the National Road Traffic Act were used for their intended purpose.