In an initiative to ease long queues and unnecessary penalties for license renewals, the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) has joined forces with the Botswana Postal Services to enable motorists to renew their vehicle registrations at post offices in different parts of the country.
The partnership agreement, which came into effect on September 1, states that the public can now renew their vehicle road licenses at selected post offices.
Amos Motshegwe, the Public Relations Officer for the DRTS, pointed out a number of identified post offices where the license renewals can be effected and these include places within Gaborone, such as the University of Botswana, Poso House, and Riverwalk Mall post offices.
For residents of places outside Gaborone, renewals can be carried out at Orapa, Tatitown, Masunga, Hukuntsi and Maun.
The DRTS said that the service ordered at these selected post offices was only for vehicle renewals and not for any other service.
“The public is also encouraged to renew their licenses well in time before the expiry dates as this could lead to long queues and unnecessary penalties,” said Motshegwe.
DRTS reports that their offices are now open for applications for temporary permits, particularly now that the Independence Holidays are just weeks away.
The permits would be valid for the duration of the upcoming public holidays only, which will be from the 29th of September until the 04th of October and DRTS will only start accepting temporary permit applications from the 14th of September.
Motshegwe said the department is also looking at increasing transport for those who will be taking long routes to different parts of the country.
He, however, hoped that public operators would drop off their applications for the temporary permits before the 18th of this month.
 
All long distance transportation leaving Gaborone are expected to use 60-seater vehicles and above.
Only those leaving for Molepolole, Mochudi and Jwaneng would be required to offer 27 seaters and above.
The department insists that there will be no permits issued out at the bus rank.
DRTS requires that applicants for temporary permits have to include the NTC 1 form, stating explicitly the route applied for, Copy of Registration book, valid Roadworthiness Certificate, certified copy of Omang and a Certificate of Incorporation and share certificate, if applying under company name.
