Transport department on track to deliver new driver’s licence card amid initial challenges

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The department of transport says it is on track to deliver a new driver’s licence card and printing equipment for the country amid the initial challenges of finding suitable service provider/s.

With the evaluation and adjudication of the bids completed, the department is certain that it is almost at a brink of pronouncing a new dawn in the driving licence card environment, with the audit process being the only last hurdle standing in the way.

Cabinet gave a go-ahead to the department to produce a new driving license card for the country in August 30, 2022.

The department embarked on its first attempt to source a service provider to deliver a turnkey solution, spokesperson Collen Msibi remarked.

He further stated that the bid was advertised on 10 November 2022.

“This bid process was unsuccessful, resulting in a re-advertisement of the bid on 5 April 2023. Provision of a Turnkey Solution for Personalization of Smart Driving Cards in South Africa was advertised in the government tender portal.

“The bid closed on May 5, 2023, and owing to its technical complexity, this bid continues to be under consideration, which requires the department to adhere to prescribed supply chain management prescripts and regulations,” he explained.

Five bids received for new driver’s licence

Msibi revealed that the department received five bids from bidders namely: Ren-Form Corporate Print Media, Nec Xon Systems (Pty) Ltd, Muehlbauer ID Services, Gemalto Altron Fintech Southern Africa and Idemia Identity and Security – South Africa.

He continued; “Just to emphasise, with the evaluation and adjudication of the bid completed, the bid is undergoing standard and required department’s probity/audit processes.

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“The department cannot finalize the bid process until the above is completed and pleads for patience as it is prohibited by law not to poke its nose into the affairs of the bidding committees.

“In compliance with the rules and regulations on tender processes, the department can therefore not be characterized as lacking transparency”.

Msibi added that the department will pronounce on this matter when all processes have been completed.