In a major step toward improving public service delivery, the Gauteng Provincial Government has officially launched a state-of-the-art smart licensing centre at Protea Glen Mall in Soweto. The new facility is part of a broader strategy to modernize and streamline access to essential licensing services while bringing them closer to historically underserved communities.
The opening, officiated by MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, marks a significant investment in infrastructure aimed at meeting the needs of communities living in townships, informal settlements, and hostels (TISH). The Smart Licensing Service Centre is expected to improve customer experience, reduce congestion at traditional offices, and increase the speed and efficiency of processing driver and vehicle licenses.
“The establishment of smart Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) in these regions represents a laudable initiative in enhancing government services and expansion of regulatory frontline services,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela during the launch event.
Located within the bustling Protea Glen Mall, the new centre integrates cutting-edge technology and streamlined digital systems to facilitate smoother service delivery. The centre is designed to handle a wide range of licensing services, including learner’s and driver’s license testing, vehicle registration, and the certification of driving schools, instructors, number plate manufacturers, and embossers.
The initiative also reflects the government’s TISH-focused policy, which prioritizes expanding access to vital services for communities often marginalized in the past. Diale-Tlabela highlighted that these centres aim to bridge the gap in service delivery and create a more inclusive and responsive governance model.
The Department of Roads and Transport in Gauteng oversees one of the province’s largest regulatory portfolios, guided by the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996). The Act gives the MEC oversight over licensing and registration of drivers, vehicles, and related services making smart DLTCs a crucial component in upholding compliance and road safety.
The launch of the Soweto centre follows a series of upgrades across the province and demonstrates the provincial government’s continued commitment to leveraging innovation and technology to empower communities and improve public service delivery at the grassroots level.
