Transport and Public Works
With regard to foreign-registered vehicles:
- Whether his Department will investigate the possibility of building up a provincial database of (a) vehicles with foreign registration numbers and (b) foreign drivers using the province’s road; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether his Department plans to engage with the national government about adding foreign vehicles that enter South Africa at border posts to such a database; if not, how does the Department intend to enforce traffic regulations regarding foreign-registered vehicles and/or foreign drivers; if so, what are the relevant details?
- No,
- Regulation 4 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000, finding its basis in Section 4 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996), provides for the entry into the Republic and the use in the Republic of a vehicle of which the registration and licensing are still valid in a prescribed territory or a Contracting State to the Convention.
As these vehicles have to conform to the requirements of said national road traffic legislation, I am of the opinion that the creation of such a database is within the domain of the national Department of Transport. Said Department will have to form a partnership with the Department of Home Affairs to establish such a database.
- Regulation 110 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000, finding its basis in Section 23 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996), provides for a driving licence and international driving permit which were issued in any other country than the Republic to be used within the Republic for as long as it remains valid in the country of issue. These licences may also be converted to a South African licence under certain circumstances and conditions.
As the use of these licences has to conform to the requirements of said national road traffic legislation, I am of the opinion that the creation of such a database is within the domain of the national Department of Transport. Said Department will have to form a partnership with the Department of Home Affairs to establish such a database.
- Yes, as my Department is already participating on various forums with the national Department of Transport and the Department of Home Affairs to review relevant issues pertaining to foreigners in so far as road traffic legislation and appropriate identification (including visas and permits) are concerned.
I should mention that the Provincial Traffic Service, along with the Municipal Traffic Departments in the Province, have always enforced the full extent of existing traffic legislation when it comes to foreigners. I am satisfied that the abovementioned interventions will strengthen the ability to do proper traffic law enforcement throughout the Republic in respect of foreigners, as is the case with South Africans.
