Hundreds of taxi and scholar transport operators across Gauteng are being urged to collect their operating licences before 14 August 2026 or risk having them cancelled and being forced to restart the entire application process.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport says more than 400 valid operating licences remain uncollected, despite months of work to reduce application backlogs and improve service delivery. While the licences have already been approved, many operators have not yet collected them, prompting the department to issue a final warning ahead of the August deadline.
For many taxi owners and scholar transport operators, this is more than just an administrative task. An operating licence is the legal document that allows a public transport vehicle to carry paying passengers. Without it, operators cannot legally provide transport services, which could affect their income and leave commuters with fewer transport options.
According to the department, operators who fail to collect their licences by 14 August 2026 risk having those licences cancelled. If that happens, they may have to begin the application process from the start, resulting in additional paperwork, longer waiting periods, and unnecessary costs.
Minibus taxis remain the backbone of public transport in Gauteng, carrying millions of commuters every day to work, school, healthcare facilities, and shopping centres.
When taxi operators do not have valid operating licences, it creates uncertainty for both drivers and passengers. Licensed operators are authorised to operate legally and are expected to comply with regulations that help improve accountability and passenger safety.
The latest call from the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is part of a wider effort to improve compliance within the public transport industry while reducing long-standing administrative backlogs.
The department says it has made significant progress in clearing the backlog since November 2025, with more than 2,000 operating licences already handed over to compliant taxi and scholar transport operators across Gauteng.
As part of the latest rollout, another 208 operating licences were issued from the Derek Masoek Regional Office in Johannesburg.
Officials say these efforts are intended to improve the efficiency of the operating licence system while ensuring that qualifying operators can continue providing transport services legally.
If you have already been informed that your operating licence is ready for collection, the department advises you to:
- Visit your nearest Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport office as soon as possible.
- Collect your operating licence before 14 August 2026.
- Ensure your contact details and supporting documents are up to date.
- Avoid waiting until the final days before the deadline to reduce delays and long queues.
The department says the message is straightforward: if your operating licence has already been approved, collect it before 14 August.
Failing to do so could mean losing your approved licence and having to restart the entire application process. That could leave operators off the road for longer than necessary and potentially affect the commuters who rely on their services every day.
For Gauteng’s taxi and scholar transport industry, collecting an approved operating licence is a simple step that helps operators stay compliant, continue earning an income, and keep public transport running smoothly for the communities that depend on it.
