Lockdown no excuse for expired licences
JUSTICIA SHIPENA
WINDHOEK
Windhoek City Police spokesperson Sergeant Fabian Amukwelele says the Road Traffic Act stipulates clearly that driver's licences should be renewed three months before expiry, and that the 21-day lockdown should not be used as an excuse to violate the law.
“If your licence disc expired and has passed the grace period, you are compelled to park the vehicle,” he said.
This comes as the Roads Authority (RA) indicated it will only renew driver's licences and licence disks for essential services personnel and vehicles during the lockdown period.
Amukwelele added that if a driver's licence has expired or been misplaced, a declaration alone will not be recognised as a binding temporary driving permit.
“You therefore are advised to get someone with a valid driver's licence to drive you to essential places of service.” According to Amukwelele, once a vehicle is involved in an accident with an expired licence disc or if the driver has an expired licence, vehicle insurance companies will not pay for damages.
“Anyone found driving on the road not complying with this requirement, the normal traffic rules will apply,” he said.
Disc, licence renewals impacted
RA spokesperson Hileni Fillemon said their offices will be closed during the lockdown period.
“For the car discs, people have a 21-day grace period after it expires. By then, the lockdown might have ended, and no additional cost will be added,” she said.
She also said those booked for learner's and driver's tests during the lockdown will be attended to when offices reopen.
Possible plan of action
“If the lockdown is extended, we will provide a plan of action, but for now, we are not classified as an essential firm. We do not want to put our staff and the members of the public at risk,” Fillemon said.
She added that travelling during this time is discouraged, and those with an expired licence should remain at home for safety.
Roadworthy tests will only be done on goods vehicles used to transport supplies for essential or critical services in and around the country, she said.
Additionally, the transport regulations office will only attend to applications for cross-border and abnormal permits for vehicles carrying essential services.
WINDHOEK
Windhoek City Police spokesperson Sergeant Fabian Amukwelele says the Road Traffic Act stipulates clearly that driver's licences should be renewed three months before expiry, and that the 21-day lockdown should not be used as an excuse to violate the law.
“If your licence disc expired and has passed the grace period, you are compelled to park the vehicle,” he said.
This comes as the Roads Authority (RA) indicated it will only renew driver's licences and licence disks for essential services personnel and vehicles during the lockdown period.
Amukwelele added that if a driver's licence has expired or been misplaced, a declaration alone will not be recognised as a binding temporary driving permit.
“You therefore are advised to get someone with a valid driver's licence to drive you to essential places of service.” According to Amukwelele, once a vehicle is involved in an accident with an expired licence disc or if the driver has an expired licence, vehicle insurance companies will not pay for damages.
“Anyone found driving on the road not complying with this requirement, the normal traffic rules will apply,” he said.
Disc, licence renewals impacted
RA spokesperson Hileni Fillemon said their offices will be closed during the lockdown period.
“For the car discs, people have a 21-day grace period after it expires. By then, the lockdown might have ended, and no additional cost will be added,” she said.
She also said those booked for learner's and driver's tests during the lockdown will be attended to when offices reopen.
Possible plan of action
“If the lockdown is extended, we will provide a plan of action, but for now, we are not classified as an essential firm. We do not want to put our staff and the members of the public at risk,” Fillemon said.
She added that travelling during this time is discouraged, and those with an expired licence should remain at home for safety.
Roadworthy tests will only be done on goods vehicles used to transport supplies for essential or critical services in and around the country, she said.
Additionally, the transport regulations office will only attend to applications for cross-border and abnormal permits for vehicles carrying essential services.
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