Drivers License Delay Bad News for SA Insurance Industry

February 7 - The South African insurance industry was looking forward to February 1st when amendments to controversial laws regarding drivers licenses were meant to be implemented.

From the beginning of this month, it would have been illegal for license holders on heavy cars (Class C1, C, EC1 or EC licenses) to drive Class B and EB vehicles.

However, a review process has put pay to these changes, and the Department of Transport issued an announcement that the previous status quo has been reinstated, until further notice.

"The South African Insurance Association is concerned that the amendment concerning the driving license legislation which was supposed to become effective on 1 February 2011, which would have made it illegal to drive a light motor vehicle with a license of a heavy vehicle, was delayed, according to an announcement of the Department of Transport," said the Motor Manager of the South African Insurance Association (SAIA), Dawie Buys.

"This is not good news for the insurance industry and, we believe, not in the best interests of most South Africans, as figures indicate that most accidents on our roads are caused by inappropriate driver behavior."

Buys said that the licensing process in South Africa plays an important role as it is very important that drivers have the right skills to qualify to drive certain types of vehicles.

By reinstating the previous legislation, the Department of Transport is doing damage to the licensing process, said Buys.

"We call on the authorities to once again reconsider their decision to ensure that drivers are licensed appropriately to drive vehicles for which they have been tested and are qualified to drive," he said.