Car Insurance

How do you convert a foreign drivers license to a South African drivers license?

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:32:35 +0000

Question:

Hi, I have a old ID with my license in it. I went overseas to the UK for 10 years and just returned. I have a full UK Driving License and want to exchange it for a South African driving license. My son who is 19 have the same problem. Went to license department and they want a letter from British Embassy. My son and husband went there this morning (all the way to Pta) just to find it is closed. Please help! Advice please

Answer:

In terms of legislation, a driving licence which was officially included in an identity document ceased to be deemed valid in 2003. However the legislation makes provision for consideration in cases where the holder of such licence was on contract of employment outside the borders of South Africa to can still apply for a card type driving licence within 6 months of return in the country. The applicant will have to follow the due processes for application of a driving licence.

In case of a foreign issued driving licence, the holder thereof can apply to have the driving licence converted to a South African driving licence once they have resumed or obtained permanent residency and during the validity period of such a licence. Once permanent residency has been obtained, holders of a foreign licence have one year in which to convert their foreign driving licence (or IDP together with driving licence for which it was issued) to a RSA licence after which failure to convert will render the licence invalid to convert or to drive with. The following process can be followed:

• Complete form DL1, Application for exchange of a driving licence at an appropriate driving licence testing centre.
• Produce the following documents:
- acceptable identification as required by South African legislation (e.g. identity document (ID), temporary ID, valid South African passport, or foreign passport with permanent residence permit)
- a letter from a competent authority confirming the validity of your foreign driving licence. The letter should also define the class of licence. (type of vehicle that can be driven) and indicate if there are any suspensions on the driving licence
- foreign driving licence
- ID photos
• Pay the prescribed fee.
• An eye test will be conducted at the centre.

The forms and more details can be accessed on www.enatis.com .

Further note that the foreign issued licence is recognised and can be used for driving the class of motor vehicle as authorised by the licence, provided that is in a language that is used in South Africa and has a photograph of the holder.

Hopeful that the response provided answers your question.

Regards,

Clancinah Baloyi

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How can RoadCover assist motorists with road accident injury claims?

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:58:52 +0000

On the Arrive Alive website we have shared information from our road safety Partner RoadCover on information pertaining to road accident injury claims.

Many accident victims find themselves disgruntled not only on the time that it takes to process accident claims, but also about the fees payable for legal advice. It is important for road users to be aware of the processes and pitfalls in the claims process. To read more about this view:

RoadCover and Personal Injury Claims to the Road Accident Fund

We would also like to share the above very nice informative video.

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Serajevo car thief abandons car when he discovers kids inside

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Sat, 12 May 2012 06:22:52 +0000

Sometimes thieves just get more than they bargained for.

Police in Sarajevo say a man found what he thought was an abandoned car with the engine running. So he jumped in and took off.

Then he realised there were two children in the back seat: a 9-year-old boy crying for his mom and a 3-year-old girl sleeping through the ordeal.

Their mother had just dropped off her nephew at her sister’s house Thursday night, and she screamed when she saw her car depart.

Nearby, witnesses then saw the thief abandon the car, get picked up by another vehicle and speed off.

Police said in their statement Friday that a search is under way for the getaway car. – Sapa-AP

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What does the law say about the use of retread tyres on the front axles of buses?

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Thu, 10 May 2012 07:18:05 +0000

Question:

Hope you can help.

I would like to know if there is any law in SA regarding the use of retread tyres on the front axles of buses?

The reason I ask is that the bus company my son’s school uses for transporting children for outings is using them and I would like to email the Princiapl regarding this, so want to know what the law states. I Googled extensively but only found reference to say it is is illeagal in most countries over seas to have retreads on the front axle, so I would like to know what the stance is in SA.

Answer:

There is no specific prohibition but par (n) requires commercial steel radial tyres for such vehicle. I copy the regulation for you. Retreads are only prohibited on motor cycles.

Tyres

Reg 212. No person shall operate on a public road—

(a) a motor vehicle, other than a tractor or trailer, which is equipped with a metal tyre;
(b) a tractor or trailer, other than an animal-drawn vehicle, which is equipped with a metal tyre of less than 130 millimetres in width;
(c) an animal drawn vehicle which is equipped with a metal tyre less than 40 millimetres in width;
(d) a vehicle which is equipped with a metal tyre unless the whole width of the tread of the tyre is at all times in direct contact with the surface of the road;
(e) a vehicle which is equipped with a tyre which is in such a state of disrepair or in such a condition that it may cause or is likely to cause damage to the road surface or may be or is likely to be a danger;
(f) a motor vehicle which is equipped with a pneumatic tyre of which the rubber covering is so worn or damaged that the fabric or cord used in the construction of such tyre is exposed;
(g) a motor vehicle of which a tyre is so constructed and fitted that the metal part of the wheel to which such tyre is fitted may come into contact with the road surface;
(h) a motor cycle which is equipped with a retreated tyre;
(i) a motor vehicle which is equipped with a regrooved tyre having a bead diameter of 430 millimetres or less;
(j) a motor vehicle—
(i) which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre unless such tyre displays throughout, across its breadth and around its entire circumference, a pattern which is clearly visible, and has a tread of at least one millimetre in depth;

(ii) which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre which contains a tyre tread depth indicator, if the tread is level with the tyre tread depth indicator:
Provided that this paragraph shall not apply in respect of a motor cycle with an engine which has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimetres, or a trailer drawn by a tractor at a speed not exceeding 40 km/h;
(k) a motor cycle with an engine having a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimetres, which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre which does not at any position on the tread thereof have a visible tread pattern over at least 80 per cent of the full width of the tread;
(l) a motor vehicle which is equipped with a pneumatic tyre which has a break in its fabric or which has a cut, measured in any direction on the outside of the tyre and of such depth that it reaches the cords used in the construction of such tyre, in excess of 25 millimetres or 10 per cent of the maximum width of the tyre, whichever is the greater; or
(m) a motor vehicle which is equipped with a pneumatic tyre which has a lump or bulge caused by the separation of or a partial break in its structure.
(n) A minibus, midibus, or bus operating in terms of an operating licence issued in accordance with the provisions of the NLTTA, unless such minibus, midibus or bus is fitted with commercial steel radial tyres; and

Alta

Alta Swanepoel and Associates

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UK based car insurer Coverbox partners with Ctrack for Insurance Telematics

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:09:03 +0000

The Car Insurance industry is abuzz with developments in technology and ways to better measure driver behaviour. The accurate measurement of driver behaviour through vehicle telematics is seen as the best way to reduce car insurance premiums for safe drivers. In the UK, where vehicle owners may not drive uninsured, special concern has been raised about the affordability of car insurance premiums for younger drivers. Additional pressure on Car Insurers have come from the European High Court when it was decided that it amounts to discrimination to make a distinction in car insurance premiums based merely on gender.

This makes it even more important for Car Insurers to select the best vehicle telematics partner.

UK based Pay As You Drive Insurer Coverbox

A partnership between pay-how-you-drive insurer Coverbox and vehicle tracking & movement monitoring technology market leader Ctrack looks set to drive vehicle insurance telematics forward two generations.

A clear demonstration that Ctrack is able to comply with Coverbox’s 18-point device strategy means that Ctrack’s massively-advanced interactive devices will soon be establishing new levels of data provision from vehicles to which they are fitted as part of pay-how-you-drive insurance products.

“We’re developing and progressing our soon-to-be-launched behavioural insurance product at an exciting rate, and it’s all hot in the wheeltracks of a resounding report which looks set to change the way car insurance premiums are set. This moves vehicle insurance telematics two or three generations beyond current equipment capabilities,” said Johan van der Merwe, deputy chairman of Coverbox on the eve of Insurance Telematics 2012 in London.

“We have a clearly-defined device strategy – built around financial and supply security of the device company, as well as installation standards and control of tamper and removal security – and Ctrack meets and even exceeds our requirements.

“We know we shook a lot of people in the insurance industry by commissioning a report which reveals that there’s an overwhelming case for changing the way the insurance industry sets premiums – but the re-insurance industry simply cannot ignore the level of information and quantities of data the Coverbox-Ctrack combination will make available through a highly advanced interactive device and supporting monitoring and analytics.

“The Holy Grail of the vehicle insurance industry is analysing and concluding the cause, process and effect of a vehicle accident or event – without giving the game away, we’re currently piloting absolutely tamper-proof interactive devices which provide previously unheard-of levels of data, but which also monitor and record driving behaviour and vehicle movement for a significant period before any sort of harsh or severe event.

“There is also the potential – even now – of incorporating overt or covert video recording into the system.

“We have also carried out tests to assess various on-board telematics devices’ response to being swapped in and out of vehicles, and we’re actually quite surprised at some of the results and responses.”

Driving Vehicle Insurance Telematics forward two generations

Saleem Miyan, managing director of Ctrack Europe Holdings Limited, said: “Pardon the pun, but we’ve been looking for a vehicle for our two-generations-on insurance telematics technology, and it is pretty clear that Johan van der Merwe and his Coverbox team have a vision and understanding which provides that vehicle.

“Coverbox’s team are not ‘make-do’ guys – we’ve walked into an environment in which not only do they recognise Ctrack’s potential impact, they’ve embraced it and catapulted it forward even further.”

Coverbox’s report into the vehicle insurance sector will be presented to a select panel of leading insurance companies in due course.

“What it reveals is that there’s an overwhelming case for changing the way the insurance industry sets premiums: we can record, analyse and compare driving behaviour as against applying insurance ‘proxy ratings’ – we get factual driving information, and base rates on driving style and location rather than lifestyle and home address,” said Johan van der Merwe.

“Ctrack’s technology is simply jaw-dropping in the context of pay-how-you-drive as Coverbox sees it.

“The report illustrates that both insurers and drivers will be better off if insurance is rated on driving style rather than lifestyle, and that good drivers don’t suffer from the behaviour of bad drivers – and Ctrack’s product and technology takes monitoring and recording to an utterly higher plane.”

Coverbox pay-how-you-drive insurance allows drivers to take out comprehensive cover paid for by the mile, with the price per mile varying according to the time of the day or night: off-peak, peak or “super-peak” times, and how the driver drives.

All Coverbox policyholders have a personal website enabling them to see precisely how many miles they are driving, and what the cost is. The technology behind Coverbox is based on proven equipment and technology.

Deon du Rand, Executive Director Strategic Projects, Ctrack

Ctrack in the UK and Ireland are divisions of DigiCore Holdings, a global company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Founded in the 1990s, DigiCore specialises in the research, development, manufacturing, sales and support of technologically advanced tracking and resource management solutions.

Under the Ctrack brand, DigiCore offers a wide range of vehicle location, personal and lone worker tracking, fleet and work flow management, satellite navigation and security tools – with cost effective and scalable solutions that offer a unique combination of flexibility, reliability and functionality. As a result, more than 600,000 systems have been fitted in 50 countries across five continents, making DigiCore the most comprehensive industry service provider worldwide.

Also view:

Telematics Expert to address European Conference on Reinventing Telematics and Vehicle Insurance

For more on vehicle and insurance telematics also view:

What is Insurance Telematics and how will it impact on car insurance?

Vehicle Insurance Telematics

Driver Intelligence to be measured by Discovery with Discovery Insure

Outsurance activates technology to reward safe driving behaviour

Pay As You Drive and Car Insurance

Vehicle Telematics, Accident Investigation and Fleet Management

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Shadow traffic enforcement should focus on reducing distracted driving

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:16:41 +0000

Distracted driving has become a major road hazard not only in South Africa, but across the globe!

In New York there has recently been an enforcement initiative focused on the dangers of driving while talking on and texting from cellular phones. We would like to briefly refer to this initiative:

In the week April 23 through April 29, extra New York State troopers cracked down on cell phone usage on roadways all across New York, not only on the Thruway, but on all roadways across the state. This week-long detail was called Operation Hang Up.

The extra enforcement was paid for through a Distracted Driving Enforcement Grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

How big is the risk of Distracted Driving for Road Safety in the U.S?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 3000 people died on U.S. roadways last year due distracted driving and the New York State Police want to do what they can to reduce that number each year for years to come.

But how do we manage to do effective traffic enforcement and punish these offenders?

Most people using their cellular phones are quick to put their phones to the side at the side of a traffic officer or road block.

The answer appears to be in the deployment of “shadow traffic officers or ghost cars”.

Coots says the department will be using what it calls Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles, or CITE vehicles, to help the crackdown process, “if you drive by it, you wouldn’t know it’s a state police vehicle until the lights come on and a state trooper steps out and is enforcing the vehicle traffic law.”

Coots says not only is this week-long detail about keeping the roads safe this week, but in the days, months and years to come. He says having people think about this with more effort this week will hopefully get them to change their bad habits, and mindsets, and say to themselves, no, it is not ok to put other people’s lives, and their own lives, in jeopardy by talking or texting while driving.

During Thanksgiving week last year, more than 800 distracted drivers were ticketed in that one week alone.

It was the first Operation Hang Up held after the new no texting while driving law went into effect on November 1, 2011.

Distracted Driving in South Africa

On the Arrive Alive road safety information portal we have also shared information of the dangers of distracted driving, cellular phone usage and distracted driving and texting and distracted driving.

We have also referred to the benefits of technology in insuring that we can drive with both hands on the steering wheel.

For bluetooth handsfree technology to reduce the risk of distracte driving also view:

Also visit the following sections:

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What does the law say about rear view mirrors and unobstructed views from a car?

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:46:25 +0000

Question:

I was wondering if you guys could help me regarding a law about rear view mirrors.

Would it be illegal to have a small sticker on your mirrors? Its will be very small and not prohibit my view at all.

Answer:

Reg 204 applies.

Some years ago people fitted an additional little mirror to the rear-view mirrors and that was considered illegal.

Driving view to be unobstructed

Reg 204. (1) No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle—

(a) which is not so constructed and maintained as to afford the driver thereof a full and clear view of the roadway ahead and to his or her right and left when the vehicle is in use;
(b) which is not fitted with a rear-view mirror or mirrors enabling the driver of such vehicle, when he or she is in the driving position, to see in clear weather a clear reflection of traffic to the rear: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in respect of a tractor;
(c) which is a motor car, minibus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kilograms and which, according to the registration certificate thereof, was registered for the first time on or after 1 January 1987, unless it is fitted with an exterior rear-view mirror on the driving side and an interior rear-view mirror: Provided that where the interior rear-view mirror does not enable the driver, when he or she is in the driving position, to see in clear weather, a clear reflection of traffic to the rear, an additional exterior rear-view mirror shall be fitted on the side opposite to the driving seat and in such a case it shall not be necessary to fit an interior rear-view mirror;
(d) which is a mini bus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms and which, according to the registration certificate thereof, was registered for the first time on or after 1 January 1987, unless it is fitted with an exterior rear-view mirror on the driving side and an exterior rear-view mirror on the side opposite to the driving seat; or
(e) which is a motor cycle, a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle unless it is fitted with a rear-view mirror on the right side of the handlebars thereof, and such cycle shall also be fitted with a rear-view mirror on the left side of its handlebars.

(2) Every rear-view mirror of a motor vehicle—

(a) which—
(i) is a motor car, minibus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kilograms and which, according to the registration certificate thereof, was registered for the first time on or after 1 January 1976; or
(ii) is a minibus, bus or a goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms and which, according to the registration certificate thereof, was registered for the first time during the period 1 January 1976 to 31 December 1986,
shall be either flat or spherically convex and have an average radius of curvature of not less than one comma two metres; or
(b) contemplated in subregulation (1)(d) shall be either flat or spherically convex and have an average radius or curvature of not less than one comma eight metres.

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What are the requirements and costs to renew a Professional Driving Permit [PrDP]?

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Fri, 04 May 2012 07:05:31 +0000

Question:

I have to renew my PDP, What form must I complete and do I again have to get a medical certificate, fingerprints, eye test and ? What is the costs involve? I stay in Centurion, Thank-you.

Answer:

Herewith is the response to the question asked below:

Yes in terms of a renewal of a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), the applicant has to go for a medical assessment, eye test and have their fingerprints taken. The Application for Professional Driving Permit (Form PD1) is the form that needs to be completed. The Medical Certificate (Form MC) will have to be completed by a medical professional. The requirements stipulated for the issuing of a PrDP remain applicable. In terms of the cost, the issuance of a PrDP involves the application fee (R96.00) and the Issue fee (R204.00). These fees are provincially based and the fees provided are for Gauteng since you indicated that you stay on Centurion.

All the forms can be accessed on the eNaTIS website www.enatis.com

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Be alert to “ticket touts” promising to reduce your traffic fine

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Thu, 03 May 2012 05:26:57 +0000

There is nothing wrong with having your traffic fine reduced. Yesterday I too was pleasantly surprised when i went to pay a rather expensive traffic fine for a friend who is at present outside the country. I managed to pay far less than the original amount by just being nice, non-confrontational and honest.

I do however fear that there are many out there who use contacts and informal arrangements that could amount to corruption.

On Insurance Chat we received the following comment on one of the blog posts:

“Allow me to reduce your traffic fine.
I will reduce your fine to half guaranteed. No personal information needed.
At no cost to you.
I simply make a profit if I have it reduced to more than half.
I take the difference.

It is all above board and legal. Individuals and companies more than welcome.

Email me or contact me on …
Been providing the service for years.

Save money.”

Even though I am happy to see that the person leaving the comment makes reference to the fact that it is all above board and legal, i decided to raise this with Justice Project South Africa who is well known for assistance to those who have incurred traffic fines:

Response:

Yes I do have a few comments on this sort of thing:

1. “Ticket touts” have become a prolific business in South Africa.
2. They use the ability of prosecutors to apply leniency to the amount payable with respect to monetary penalties payable on fines issued under the Criminal Procedure Act.
3. Prosecutors often slash the amount payable by 50%.
4. Where claims like the one referred to are made, there is a strong possibility that the person offering this “great deal” has an arrangement with one or more prosecutors to withdraw the fine completely and then the parties thereto share in the 50% they get from whomever uses their services.
5. This is a corrupt practice at best.
6. There are also some people who are doing the same with AARTO infringement notices that have exceeded the 32 day discount period and this too is a corrupt practice.
7. AARTO was specifically designed to stop this kind of practice, but has failed to do so, due to corrupt officials within the traffic authority’s employ.
8. The only way that this will be stopped is if AARTO is applied properly and all infringement notices are registered on eNaTIS and payable to the RTIA.
9. This has not been properly instituted, even now – 4 years after AARTO was proclaimed!
10. There are some straight traffic fines assistance companies that do things the correct way and they don’t promise massive reductions – but they are in the vast minority!

Best Regards,

Howard Dembovsky
National Chairman – Justice Project South Africa (NPC)

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How is the 21 day grace period for licence disk renewal calculated?

jonckie@arrivealive.co.za — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:22:24 +0000

Question:

Please let me know if the 21 days are ‘working day’s or just normal days as this is unclear.

Answer:

The 21 days are ‘normal’ days and are calculated as 21 days after the date of liability for licensing.

The liability date for renewal of a licence is from the first day after the expiry date.

If the vehicle is liable for licensing due to a change of ownership then the liability date for licensing is equal to the liability date for registration (generally when the change of ownership occurred).

The following two examples may help to explain:

1) Licence expires on 30 April 2012. The date of liability for licensing is 01 May 2012 therefore the period of grace ends on 01 May 2012 + 21 days i.e. 22 May 2012. Penalties and arrears will only be calculated for application made on or after 23 May 2012.
2) Vehicle is registered on 30 April 2012 with a liability date of 30 April 2012. The period of grace is ends 30 April 2012 + 21 days i.e. 21 April 2012. Penalties and arrears will only be calculated for application made on or after 22 May 2012.

Please note that in terms of the Interpretation Act, if the last day of the period of grace falls on a public holiday or a Sunday it is excluded and the period of grace will then end on the next working day (which includes Saturdays).

Kind regards,
Kevin J. Kara-Vala

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