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