The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) handed over two hundred and eleven (211) valid operating licences to compliant operators as part of its Special Operating Licence Handover ceremonies that took place between Wednesday, 12 and the deadline date of Friday, 14 August 2026.
The handover ceremonies, covering Cities of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Sedibeng District, served to enable compliant public transport operators to collect their approved operating licences before the collection deadline.
Uncollected licenses, all one hundred and eight (108), will be in line for cancellation subject to applicable administrative processes in line with the relevant legislative framework.
Ahead of the deadline, the Department undertook several campaigns including sending out SMS’s to applicants, held a series of engagements with the taxi industry and scholar transport operators through regional awareness and outreach programmes to encourage operators to visit offices and collect their issued operating licences. Operating licenses were also handed out during the regional awareness and outreach programmes.
Since November 2025, the Department has successfully handed over more than three thousand (3000) operating licences to compliant minibus taxi and scholar transport operators across the province.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has thanked all operators for their patience and understanding as the Department is making significant progress in improving and streamlining internal administrative and operational processes to improve turnaround times.
“These ceremonies were more than just formalities but served as testament to our commitment to rebuilding a licensing system that is efficient, transparent and fair. The new processes have greatly facilitated the Department’s contribution to regulatory compliance, enhancing service delivery, and supporting a safe, reliable, and efficient public transport system across the province,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.
She added that the Department “remains committed to restore order within the public transport sector, improving service standards and fostering a culture of compliance amongst operators”.
Acknowledging the economic importance of having a valid document, MEC Diale-Tlabela noted that the “possession of a valid operating license also serves as a tool of economic participation and emancipation”.
By law, an operating licence is necessary for public transport operators to be able to use South African roads and transport citizens for a fee. The National Land Transport Act 5 (2009 - s54 and 62) requires that an operator be in possession of an operating licence.
The special ceremonies formed part of the Department's ongoing commitment to improve efficiencies in public transport regulation, eliminate administrative backlogs and ensure public transport operators continue operating legally and in accordance with applicable regulations.
To accommodate those who could not collect their operating licenses, the Department is appealing to operators to visit their nearest TOLAB office where they applied and bring proof (application receipt or ID copy) to check the status of their applications.
Below are TOLAB offices:
Johannesburg/Sedibeng Region:
Address: Life Centre Building, 45 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg
Tshwane Region:
Address: 230 Lilian Ngoyi Street, Pretoria Central
Ekurhuleni Region:
Address: 01 Hardach Street, Germiston
West Rand Region:
Venue: Corner Kagiso Drive and Moses Street
For more information, contact the Department’s Head of Communications Ms Melitah Madiba on 073 644 9935 or MEC’s Spokesperson Mr Lesiba Mpya on 078 450 9841 or email pressoffice.gpdrt@gauteng.gov.za
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