Question:
Sir/Madam, can you please clarify the meaning of an offence “Drove motor vehicle on a public road. Operator card not displayed.”
Answer:
Dear Sir or Madam.
For a change, this particular question has an easy and straight-forward answer attached to it.
All motor vehicles which are classified as requiring an operator to be registered must undergo regular roadworthy tests and be issued with a current operator card when this happens. Operator class vehicles are defined under Regulation 265 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000 as follows:
265. Classes of motor vehicles in respect of which operator to be registered
(1) An operator shall be registered in respect of a—
(a) goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms;
(b) breakdown vehicle;
(c) motor vehicle to which regulations 273 to 283 apply as contemplated in regulation 274;
(d) bus;
(e) midibus;
(f) mini-bus—
(i) the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms; or
(ii) which is designed or adapted for the conveyance of 12 or more persons, including the driver; and
(g) motor vehicle used for the conveyance of persons for reward, registered in the Republic.
If your vehicle falls under any of the above classifications, then it requires an operator card (roadworthy disc) to be displayed in its windscreen, along with its license disc.
Best Regards,
Howard Dembovsky
National Chairman – Justice Project South Africa (NPC)