Western Cape Launches Province-Wide Taxi Driver Registration to Curb Road Lawlessness and Ensure Commuter Safety

The Western Cape launches a taxi driver registration drive to verify licenses and improve road safety, moving away from the dangerous "target-chasing" system.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 8:47 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from EWN

Closing the Oversight Gap in the Taxi Industry

In a significant move to address long-standing road safety concerns, the Western Cape government has pivoted its regulatory focus from taxi operators to the drivers themselves. MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileku announced the rollout of a province-wide registration drive designed to eliminate the "lawlessness" often associated with the sector. Historically, regulation has targeted the owners of operating licenses, leaving a vacuum of oversight regarding the individuals actually behind the wheel. This new initiative seeks to verify the identities, licensing status, and Professional Driving Permits (PrDP) of all active drivers, ensuring that only legally qualified individuals are transporting the public.

Startling Findings from Mitchells Plain Pilot

The urgency of the registration drive was underscored by the results of a pilot program conducted in Mitchells Plain. Within just a few hours, over 500 drivers were registered; however, officials discovered alarming levels of non-compliance. Sileku revealed that one individual had been operating a public transport vehicle for 13 years without ever obtaining a driver's license. The current "rent-a-taxi" system allows operators to bypass safety protocols, often letting unverified drivers take over routes when regular staff are unavailable. By linking drivers directly to specific operators in a centralized database, the province intends to hold both parties accountable for any traffic violations or unsafe behavior.

A Shift from Target-Chasing to Professionalization

At the heart of the provincial strategy is a plan to dismantle the "target system," which incentivizes dangerous driving. Currently, many drivers prioritize speed and overloading to meet daily profit quotas set by operators. The Department of Mobility is exploring a model that guarantees a fixed income for registered drivers, effectively removing the financial pressure to break traffic laws. This professionalization drive builds on the foundations of the earlier Blue Dot program, aiming to introduce incentives for safe driving and real-time route tracking. The long-term goal is to transform the industry into a reliable, integrated component of the public transport network.