On 1 December 2023, the KZN Department of Transport introduced a new licence numbering system for the Province as it was running out of new numbers and to also align the province with the national numbering system.
Since its inception the new numbering system continues to receive an overwhelming response as the Department has now reached a milestone of issuing 524 621 new number plates. In addition over 80% of the government fleet has also migrated to the new numbering system and this 80% is not inclusive of the 524 61 mentioned above. This means that 1/3 of the vehicle population has already moved to the new numbering system ahead of the November 2025 deadline.
The Head of Department, Siboniso Mbhele said the Department was very happy with the positive response.
“We wish to thank the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal for complying and coming forward in their numbers to register for the new number plates. The system is now open for everyone to migrate to the new system and members of the public can visit any registering authority not just in the area where they reside. In addition the Department is also in negotiations with some municipalities with a view of establishing additional registering authorities so as to enable the process of migration to run smoothly,” said Mbhele.
By the 1st November 2025 it will be mandatory for all vehicle owners to have migrated to the new numbering system. Should motor vehicle not comply within the 24 month period, their motor vehicles will be automatically issued with a new number plate upon licencing of their vehicles. If members of the public migrate at the last minute, they might be subjected to long queues at registering authorities as well as at embossers of the number plates.
Failure to migrate timeously will also lead to members of public getting fined as this will become a violation of the National Road Traffic Act.
