2020 is a year that businesses will never forget, with most companies either closing their doors, reinventing their offering, or pursuing their strict survival strategies. In light of this, it’s understandable for certain administrative tasks to slip through the cracks. And it’s easy for that to happen, especially with the pandemic throwing the usual reminders and pattern of doing business aside. Even AARTO (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences) decided not to send out reminders for vehicle licence renewals this year, which caught many people off guard.
While there’s still that 90-day grace period for expired licences, you’ll find that this grace only extends to being fined for driving around with an expired licence. It doesn’t extend to any arrears you’ll accrue during this time. What your business certainly doesn’t need is to pay more than what it usually does in this difficult time.
To help your business avoid extra costs and make the licence renewal process simpler for you or your staff to get done, we’ve laid out a few tips.
Starting with what you need to have on hand
Honestly, the key to getting the renewal process done faster is to have everything you need with you at the time. No rushing around to find a print shop for extra copies of this and a certified copy of that. Rather check this list out and be prepared, and then show up early so that you’re first in line to be attended to.
You’ll need to bring:
- The organisation’s business certificate.
- ID of proxy/representative.
- Letter of proxy.
- The fee (in cash).
- The vehicle licence renewal notice (MVL2) sent by AARTO or an ALV1 form.
Let’s talk forms
As we mentioned before, AARTO hasn’t sent out the usual notices and forms, which means you’ll need to collect the ALV1 form from the registering authority or selected post office and fill it in there. Don’t forget to bring your own pen for hygiene purposes.
Now, let’s chat about timing
The whole process can take anything from 15 minutes to a few hours to complete, depending on where you are in the queue and how many postal staff are on duty. Unless of course, you’re in Cape Town and are then able to complete this process online. (Lucky you.) Once the process is complete, your application will be processed on the same day.
And finally, the money
Most registering authorities and post offices will only accept cash, so make sure you’ve got the total fee with you. As for how much you’ll pay, well this depends on the province you’re in and your vehicle’s tare weight and type. Click here to view fees per province so that you can make sure you have the right amount with you. If you’re late, the penalty is 10% off the licence renewal fee for your specific vehicle, multiplied by how many months you’re late by.
For example, if you’re renewing the licence for your work bakkie in the Eastern Cape and the fee for this vehicle in this province is R500 and you’re late by 2 months, then the late fee will be R100. That’s R50 (10% of 500) times by 2 (the months you’re late by).
We hope this helps you conquer the admin side of doing business well. Another valuable part of business admin that can save you in the long run is affordable business insurance. Not only will this cover all manner of risks that could shut your business down faster than COVID-19 (like massive theft or work accident) but if you find the right cover you’ll pay less for something that you actually need.
If you’re looking for affordable cover that you can customise to suit the type of business that you run, then click here or alternatively call 0860 21 00 00 and ask to speak to an expert business insurance consultant today.
Posted in partnership with King Price Insurance
