Getting a driver’s license is a necessity for every motorist in SA. Due to the high number of people needing to get their learner’s and driver’s licenses every month, one would expect the process to be simple and efficient.
However, customers using the traffic department offices in Buffalo City Municipality, namely Gonubie, Braelyn, and Wilsonia, have been faced with appalling service.
Many have been unable to book dates for their learner’s tests due to the minimal slots available. Some are forced to travel as far as Fort Beaufort to book for and write their learner’s tests.
The online systems have also left many residents frustrated and inconvenienced.
While bookings can be made online, one still has to go to a department office to make a payment. There also seem to be no contingency plans when the system is down. Bookings and payments cannot be made.
The Braelyn payment systems have been offline for more than a week and tellers have instructed people to leave their phone numbers on a long list and wait for a call when the systems are working again.
Another issue is that some traffic department offices accept eye tests done by optometrists while others do not, insisting the examinations be done in-house.
Questions were sent to Ministry of Transport spokesperson Lwaphesheya Khoza, but she failed to respond by the time of going to print.
