Vehicle and driver licence renewals

[Dave A]

I'm wondering what it is going to take to get my driver's licence renewed. And I've got a notion that I'm going to have to deal with some motor licence renewals shortly too.

Apparently this new eNaTiS licencing program is causing havoc and there was a quick comment on the news this morning that we should avoid going to licencing centres until the problem is cleared up.

Now I'm pretty sure that no-one goes to these centres on a whim. In fact, we normally have a pretty good reason.

I have a couple of questions:
Nearly a month ago I was told that our local licencing centre was open for emergency applications only. Please define what constitutes an emergency application?

Is it reasonable that renewing a driver's licence should be an all day (and by some accounts a two or more day) experience?

Are any concessions being considered for people that have been caught out by the repeated break-down of this new system?

I'm hearing horror stories of how long it takes to get "processed" at the moment from people who have stuck it out to the end. I wonder how many have just walked away because they don't have the time to sit in queues all day?

[duncan drennan]

I have two thoughts on this,

1) Any licenses etc. which have lapsed in the last 3-6 months should be considered to "okay" until after the system is fixed, and for some period after that (as their will be a backlog).

2) No IT person/engineer/etc. in their right mind would do this type of sweeping change over in one day. There should always be a parallel system running with a slow change over. The old system should probably also run as a parallel backup for a time period after a change over to allow for service if something does go wrong. It highlights that there are probably lack of skills or experience in implementing the system, which is very disturbing.

[Dave A]

I see that M&G are carrying a story here

Technicians were to work through Monday night in a bid to fix the country's new electronic national traffic information system (eNaTIS), officials said.

National Department of Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi said work on the system took longer than expected, preventing centres from opening throughout the country on Monday. "The server has been installed. Technicians will work through the night on the communication between the server and the data system."

On Monday morning, the department said driver's-licence testing centres across the country would be closed until lunch time as a new server was being installed.

Msibi could not say when work would be completed. He said Transport Minister Jeff Radebe would make an announcement on the matter on Tuesday. "We urge members of the public to wait for the minister's announcement before they go to testing centres."

He said the new server was ordered last week after the department had identified the problem in the new electronic system.

Backlogs, technical glitches and shaky, slow systems have been reported at testing stations around the country since the system was introduced last month.

Msibi said problems were caused by the current server capacity. "It [the installation] is going to clear up the problems."

The registration of new vehicles had been a large problem, he said.

Last week, the Cabinet called on the country to be patient while the problems with the system were being ironed out.

[Graeme]

Be patient!

How often are we told to be patient for one reason or another? Someone should start a database of all these "be patients" - electricity supply, licenses, ID books, passports, building permits (these take so long in Durban that after waiting for six months builders are now just going ahead and building), road repairs; hell, the list just goes on and on and on.....................................

[Dave A]

How about traffic lights. I have to go through a really busy intersection every working day that goes on the blink at the slightest hint of moisture. It's been like that for a couple of years. Not that the taxis and buses pay much attention even when they're working...

[Dave A]

I see news is that the system is "back on track". I assume at some point it was on track, then

As for any "issues" the system may have caused...

Backlogs, technical problems and slow systems have been reported at traffic centres, particularly the busier stations, since the start of the upgrading of the old national transport information system to eNaTIS on April 12.

Radebe said that fines issued relating to vehicle licences that expired during the difficult period will be treated on merit and considered for cancellation.
full story from M&G here

Hmm. Nothing about driver licence issues....

[duncan drennan]

Except after the statement from Radabe eNews went to Randburg licensing department and it was still closed due to system problems....

[Snoopy_inc]

Was at the place the other day the system is back on track all up and running.

Wonder for how long thou

[Dave A]

How long were the queues?

[Snoopy_inc]

pretty long i have to admit. 6 rows long.

If you go early its usually ok, last time i went to renew my license it was on a tuesday at about 2:15, toke me 10 min to do.

But that was some time ago.

[Dave A]

last time i went to renew my license it was on a tuesday at about 2:15, toke me 10 min to do.

For me, I'd guess about 45 minutes. Not great, but I can live with that. Apparently you stand no chance of anything close to those sort of times now, though.

Meanwhile, the system is still making the news. How about this little snippet

Msibi rejected this, saying the system was capacitated to carry a load that was comparable with what could be carried before it was launched.

"Members of the public can rest assured that the system is working according to plan."
from IOL here

Planned long queues and delays - Thanks a bunch

[Snoopy_inc]

excuses, is that all they can make? How about... ok we screwed up and we are trying to fix it, would have less of an impact and make the people feel better that they admitted to it.

[RKS Computer Solutions]

I have to go and get my license renewed before the end of the month... Will keep you guys updated....

If you read the local papers the people and the cops had a nice chat after people refused to leave the centers before their names were taken down to be helped first thing the next morning, some people being there from 6am.... So, could be in for a long day...

[Dave A]

Hopefully only one day, Riaan. This is in today's news.

Frustration continued to reign at Johannesburg's Langlaagte testing and licensing station on Wednesday as the new transport electronic system (eNaTIS) kept on crashing. Some motorists queuing since dawn said they had been coming to the station since last month.

Bongi Kubheka from Hillbrow had been struggling since April 16 to write her learner's-licence test. She said she had been coming to the station from as early as 5am, only to be told that the system was offline and she should return the next day.

"These people are arrogant. I've been here since early in the morning, but I have not been helped," Kubheka said just before 4pm, adding she would return to the station on Thursday.

The station was closed when the South African Press Association arrived at the station on Wednesday afternoon. At least 20 people, including Thabiso Netshakuma, were still queuing inside hoping to get help.

"I have already booked a date to write my learner's test. I was given five days to pay or I'll lose the spot," said Netshakuma, who had been queuing at the station since Monday, adding there were some regular faces in the line. "I don't know if I'll get help today [Wednesday]. But I have not lost hope."
full story from M&G here

[Dave A]

Minister was warned.

Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe was warned about South Africa's chaotic new traffic information system, Beeld reported on Friday.

It said the minister and the Department of Transport were told in December last year that the electronic national traffic information system (eNaTIS) would be an "embarrassment" for the country unless Radebe took action -- but even after a report containing shocking findings by the Auditor General was handed to the department in February, the system was still implemented in one fell swoop.
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Collen Msibi, spokesperson for the Department of Transport, on Friday refuted the allegations that Radebe had been aware of the potential problems with eNaTIS.

"I can confirm that that particular report [by the Auditor General] was not sent to the minister. It was addressed to the director general's office; the ministry has not seen it," he told the Mail & Guardian Online.

He said that Director General of Transport Mpumi Mpofu had been in meetings all of Friday morning, so there hadn't been an opportunity to confirm whether she had seen the report. The department was still looking into it.

"The minister did not know about the report … I know he would be quite interested to read it," Msibi said, adding that if Radebe had read it, "I'm sure the minister would have taken the advice of the Auditor General".
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Despite assurances by the Department of Transport this week that eNaTIS was working at 95% of capacity and that it was satisfied with its operation thus far, the system was still "freezing" at Langlaagte testing and licensing station in Johannesburg. Some motorists queuing since dawn on Wednesday said they had been going to the station since last month. On Tuesday, some of those in the queue threatened to burn down the station.
full story from M&G here