Can I renew my driver’s license at FNB?

FNB has once again disrupted the industry with one of the most innovative additions to hit banks across SA. From this week, you can now renew your vehicle license on the FNB app, and the whole process is as easy as ABC. Part of a full platform called nav>> Car, this smart online tool provides several handy tools that allow consumers to perform multiple checks and transactions online. While vastly welcomed and hailed as revolutionary in the industry, there does seem to be a downfall with the app for some people. Should you choose the ad-hoc feature, on top of the renewal fees, the bank has added an extra R199 for handling and delivery fees. Although consumers are blown away by how the new feature can save hours of queuing, the excessive fee is simply not sitting well with them. We take a look at the new feature.   

How Does It Work?

Should you use the ad-hoc vehicle license renewal, the process has been simplified to renew their license in a few easy steps.

  1. Scan the license with your smartphone
  2. Pay for the renewal using the in-app payment system
  3. The license disk will be delivered to your door

Convenient right? This seems like it is too good to be true! Well, there are several more features to this app that make it really appealing for customers! Well, there are several more features within the app that make it really appealing for customers! Should you choose the On-road PROTECT, the app includes the following services:

  • Renewal for up to five different licenses
  • Receive instant notifications of traffic infringements and instant payment options
  • Fine negotiation assistance, reducing the amount that you need to pay off
  • Vehicle Finance Management options
  • Licence disc renewal notifications
  • 24/7 bail assistance at roadblocks
  • Road Accident Fund claim assistance
  • Tyre repair claim assistance

What Has The Response Been?

While there are many really positive responses to the news, many have questioned the fee which seems a bit excessive. Many are blown away by the bank’s innovation and have praised the bank for being on the forefront of disrupting the industry. https://twitter.com/LKRawlins/status/872369858897481730 https://twitter.com/davydavez/status/868092417899212801 Others, however, are not as convinced about the service. https://twitter.com/chan_Nav/status/872491808122691585 In a comment on an article posted on Business Tech, one user questioned why the fee was so high to do the renewal.

“I would’ve jumped for this feature had it not been for that ridiculous R199 fee. I’d rather keep doing it the way I have been doing it for years. For the 6 years I owned my vehicle, I have only once received the renewal notice. So I just download and print the MVL form, fill it in and go to the post office to renew. Can’t say that I have ever waited longer than 15 minutes. I would’ve settled for a fee of R50 at most for the convenience of doing it via the app and saving me the time and effort, nothing more though…”

Are The Fees Outrageous?

For many, especially in this day and age of cutting costs, R199 is quite an expense for something that you can do yourself. Should you choose the On-Road PROTECT, which comprises of the R95 monthly fee, you will also be able to renew five different licenses.  This works out to R1 140 per year. The average car’s license costs around R276 to R303, depending on the weight and you will wait for an average of 1.5 hours to renew the license. This naturally depends on where you are, with some departments being quicker than others. There are various services that offer to do the renewal for you for a fee. Don’tQ, for example, who are based in Johannesburg, charge a fee of R285 to do the renewal for you. Should you need it to be delivered, however, that will be an extra R95. Bearing in mind, is the FNB app then outrageous? We contacted some courier services to find out just how much an envelope size package would cost to be couriered within the same town. DHL Express quoted R285.63 should the package be delivered from Cape Town City Center to Claremont. Postnet offers courier services of up to 5kgs, delivered in 2-3 days for R99. Postnet offers courier services of up to 5kgs, delivered in 2-3 days for R99. So, the question is, is this really excessive for a quick and easy service? Will other banks follow suit? And will they make the fees lower than the FNB?

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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