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Question: How long will a roadworthy test be valid before vehicle registration? Amendment 17- Roadworthy certificate: Validity of tests: Please note that the validity period of a roadworthy test was amended on 25/11/2010 to be 21 days and not 6 months. Tests done before the 21 day period are not accepted at the registering authority

Newly proposed legislation is aimed at preventing vehicle loss from theft and hijacking. This legislation that would require newly registered vehicles to be marked with microdots might prove to be a deterrent to vehicle thieves in South Africa! What are these proposed amendments? Draft Amendment 19 is published in Government Gazette 33979 of 1 February 2011– It ...

The shortlist of cars to make the 2011 World Car of the Year contest have been announced. The six finalists in the World Green Car category are: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition Chevrolet Volt Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell Nissan LEAF Smart electric drive Eligible cars had to be all-new or substantially revised, in production and on sale, or have at least ...

Yesterday we shared a blog post titled “Car Insurance to be affected by amended Road Traffic Act“. Of specific importance was the amended regulation: Amendment on heavy motor vehicle licences As of 1 February 2011 persons who obtain driving licences for a code C, C1, EC or EC1 driving licence will not be allowed to drive ...

As of 1 February 2011 there will be several amendments to the Road Traffic Act coming into effect. There is one specific amendment that the car insurance industry might like to take note of: Amendment on heavy motor vehicle licences As of 1 February 2011 persons who obtain driving licences for a code C, C1, EC or ...

It is estimated that approximately 85% of fatal road accidents in South Africa can be blamed on human error. Unfortunately very few of our road users can claim “error” as merely being negligent or failing to do something! There simply are far too many instances of blatant disregard for the Rules of the Road!! Too many ...

Question: Can you please help. I lived in Saudi Arabia for 2 years during which time I got a motor bike licence. Having returned home recently, I want to convert this to a South African motor bike licence. I got all the required documentation together and took it to the Centurion licencing offices. To cut a long ...

Question: My company is thinking of making me the proxy for some of our motor vehicles. What does this entail. Will I be liable for fines and how will this affect me with regards to the new point system that is coming into play. For example, can they arrest me in a roadblock for outstanding fines? Answer: The ...

Question: How long does the traffic office have to issue a summons before a traffic ticket becomes invalid? Answer: This question has been referred to the Experts from Justice Project South Africa. We would like to share the response from Justice Project South Africa: “There is ongoing and prolific confusion about this issue, mainly caused by traffic authorities typically ...

Question: Dear Sir/Madam, If my existing number plate expires, how do I go about getting a new one with the new number format (BB99BB*GP) in Gauteng? Answer: At this stage the number plate does not expire, only the licence disc. It is not a requirement to change the current number to new format. You may request the licensing department ...

Question: I have a nursery school and transport pre-school children , also school going children, to their homes. I do not generate income from this. Do I need a PDP license. I have an artificial limb (right leg, but have a normal license (have been tested and no modifications necessary to vehicle), if I do need ...

Question: A Minibus with a sticker 100 circled with a red ring sticked at back of minibus The road speed limit =120 km/hr The minibus carries 15 people safely , as the bus is new and travels at 120 km/hr on a highway wich is correct, why the the 100 circled sticker at back sticked by supplier of ...

Fewer used vehicles were sold, and those that were fetched lower prices in the last quarter of 2010, according to the results of a vehicle pricing index released on Monday. “Used vehicle prices continued their downward slide in the last quarter of 2010 despite a slight increase in new car prices for the same period,” vehicle ...

Traffic Lights that are either not working or malfunctioning are causing much frustration to motorists. It is of the utmost importance that drivers should be alert to these dangers and approach intersections with even more caution!! A regular visitor emailed this photo about conflicting message from traffic lights. This is however not a matter for “your ...

Floods have caused devastation in Australia, Brazil and even South Africa. Nowhere has the impact been more visible as in the video shared on this blog and titled “Video captures scene as vehicles are swept away by floods in Australia” Watching this video we are all confronted with the question – how big is the loss ...

Earlier this week we share a blog post titled “Video captures scene as vehicles are swept away by floods in Australia” These floods will have a significant impact on the financial, and especially the insurance industry in Australia. Much has been written  – and will still be written-  about this topic. We would like to share ...

Question: I would like to know if you guys can help me? I want to know if you can do your driver license with a bakkie, a nissan bakkie or must it be a car? Answer: The non-official term ‘bakkie’ generally refers to a light motor vehicle of 3,500 kg tare weight or less. The driving licence ...

Toyota’s Prius hybrid has broken the Japanese sales record for a single car model in 2010, helped by a popular government subsidy for green vehicles, an industry group said on Tuesday. The world’s biggest car manufacturer sold 315669 units of the Prius in Japan last year, up by 51.1% from the previous year, according to the ...

In earlier posts on the Road Safety Blog I made special mention to U-turns. I will always remember that my last conversation with my late father dealt with his concerns regarding the U-turns made in Oudtshoorn. Since then I have paid special attention to these risks and have heard and read many reports where U-turns ...

Question: Subject: Verifying vehicle reg: MOX 673 NW Message: ——– I want to buy this vehicle but the seller sounds dodgy and the advert for the vehicle for sale was placed on Junkmail – I would like verification on the vehicle. Answer: There is a vehicle confirmation service the person can apply for confirmation ...