By Audra Mahlong

[ Johannesburg, 4 August 2009 ] - Gauteng motorists can now renew their vehicle licences at post offices across the province, as part of the first phase of a joint initiative by the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

While not providing any specifics, the electronic National Traffic Information System (eNatis) says further phases of this initiative will see the introduction of a number of other transactions at post offices.

“[This] is bound to go a long way towards easing pressure at service centres,” says eNatis.

Gauteng is the fourth province to partner with SAPO. Motorists in the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal have been able to renew vehicle licences at post offices for several years already.

According to eNatis, the initiative in the various provinces has “proved to be a resounding success”. The eNatis communications team states that, on a recent visit to the Gezina post office, in Pretoria, to experience the process first-hand, the renewal process took five minutes. Due to a dedicated vehicle licence renewal counter and trained staff, processing times were reduced from the time service centres took, where numerous transactions are performed.

“This and future initiatives between transport authorities and strategic partners will most definitely improve motorists' service experience and ensure the adaptable and feature-rich eNatis is utilised to the fullest extent,” states eNatis.

Motorists must produce a printed renewal notice and an ID book to renew a vehicle licence. If they do not have a renewal notice, motorists can complete the relevant documentation for the licence to be processed. However, motorists are limited to the post office within their area of residence. A Johannesburg resident will not be able to renew his or her vehicle licence at a Pretoria post office, for example.

Some Gauteng motorists, eager to use this new facility, have discovered that not all post offices have the necessary training, processes and stationery.

Online services

 eNatis also hopes to unveil a range of e-services in the future. Philip van der Merwe, divisional manager for corporate communications at Tasima, says the first facility to be announced will be online payment services for vehicle licensing. Motorists will also be able to check their vehicle registration information and details on arrears and penalties incurred online.

“In the pipeline is eNatis eServices, which will initially offer members of the public the opportunity to conveniently perform vehicle licence renewal transactions – including secure payment – online,” he says.

Van der Merwe adds the service is in an advanced stage of development and will be launched in the near future. The services will be expanded over time and announcements will be made as new facilities become available, he says.

All decisions will be made through the Provincial Department of Transport, Van der Merwe says. The department will determine which transactions are made available online and what payment options and services are made available to the public.

http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2009/0908041038.asp?O=FPTOP&S=IT%20in%20Government&A=ITG