Cape Town has released data showing significant variations in the waiting time for driving license exams within the metropolis. According to information provided by The South African, the wait for a driver's license test in Cape Town can be as short as one day or as long as 94 days, depending on the specific testing center.
The South African published the latest data on waiting times for learner's permits, standard passenger vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, and motorcycles. The average waiting time for a passenger vehicle test across the listed centers is 31 days.
The shortest waiting periods for obtaining a passenger vehicle license were recorded at the Lingelethu West and Joe Gqabi centers, where the wait time is one day. The longest wait was noted at New Ottery—94 days. Other recorded times included Parow—72 days, and Goodwood—63 days.
Overall figures for passenger vehicles
The South African reports that the total number of days was 549, with an average waiting time of 31 days.
Furthermore, the waiting time for learner's permits was published. Kuils River recorded the longest waiting period at 110 days, while New Ottery reported only 4 days. The average waiting time for a learner's permit test, according to the publication, is 44 days.
Overall figures for learner's permits
According to The South African, the total number of days for learner's permits reached 788, with an average waiting time of 44 days.
The City told The South African that delays in taking exams can be unavoidable. In an official statement, the City noted: 'Sometimes we cannot prevent the backlog, often because people do not come to take their tests.'
The published figures highlight substantial discrepancies between testing centers in Cape Town: some offer same-day booking, while others list waiting times measured in months. These differences are observed in both the passenger vehicle and learner's permit categories, as reported by The South African.