JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is doubling down on its commitment to modernize service delivery with the rapid rollout of more Smart Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) across the province.
MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela confirmed on Sunday, January 25, 2026, that the province is expanding its footprint of “express” testing centres, specifically targeting high-traffic areas and township economies to eliminate the perennial backlog of licence renewals and applications.
The Smart DLTC Advantage
These new-generation centres, often situated in convenient locations like shopping malls and Gautrain stations, are designed to move away from the traditional, paper-heavy bureaucratic process.
- Average Turnaround: The department aims to keep the “in-and-out” time for licence renewals to under 20 minutes.
- Cashless Systems: To combat corruption and improve efficiency, the smart centres operate on a strictly cashless basis, utilizing online booking and digital payment systems.
- Solar-Powered Reliability: Many of the new sites are equipped with independent power solutions to ensure that service delivery is not interrupted by local power outages or grid instability.
Priority Rollout Areas
The latest phase of the rollout focuses on bringing services closer to previously underserved communities. New smart kiosks and full-scale centres are being prioritized for:
- Soweto (Protea Glen and Diepkloof): To alleviate the pressure on the heavily congested Orlando and Langlaagte centres.
- Tshwane: Expansion into Mamelodi and Atteridgeville.
- Ekulhuleni: Strategic placements in Tembisa and Katlehong.
The Move Toward Digital Licences
The MEC also hinted at the ongoing integration with the national Department of Transport’s plan for the New Driving Licence Card. The smart centres are currently being fitted with the necessary biometric hardware to handle the transition to the new, more secure polycarbonate cards which are expected to be the national standard by late 2026.
How to Access Services
Gauteng motorists are reminded that these smart centres operate primarily through the Natis online booking system.
“We are moving toward a future where a resident shouldn’t have to take a full day off work to renew a licence,” Diale-Tlabela stated. “By bringing these centres into the spaces where people shop and commute, we are returning dignity to the process.”
The department urges motorists to check the Natis website regularly as new slots at these “Smart” locations are released daily.
