Quick answer: A Namibian driving licence card is valid for five years. Apply to renew it at a NaTIS office at least six weeks before the expiry date printed on the card, with the application form, a copy of your licence or certified ID and the fee. You normally do not need to redo the driving test.
- The Roads Authority lists the renewal fee as N$250 (October 2026).
- If your card expired more than 12 months ago, or it is lost, you need an affidavit.
- An expired licence does not allow you to drive, even while you are waiting to renew.
- Lost or stolen cards can be replaced with a duplicate, and a temporary licence lets you drive in the meantime.
- Professional authorisations (PrDP) are valid for two years and need a medical certificate and police clearance.
Your driving licence card is easy to forget about until a traffic officer asks to see it. Renewing on time saves you fines, stress and wasted trips to NaTIS.
This guide explains when to renew, what to bring, what happens if your card has already expired and how to replace a lost or stolen card in Namibia.
How long is a driving licence card valid?
Under the Road Traffic and Transport Regulations, a driving licence card is valid for five years. The expiry date is printed on the card, so check it now and set a reminder on your phone for about two months before that date.
Do not wait for a renewal reminder. If you change phone numbers or move, a notice may never reach you, and the responsibility to renew is yours.
When to renew
The regulations say you should apply for renewal at least six weeks before your card expires. That gives NaTIS time to produce the new card.
If you apply late and the new card is not ready by the expiry date, you may not drive that class of vehicle until it arrives, unless you apply for a temporary driving licence and pay the fee for it.
What to bring
| Your situation | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Normal renewal (card still valid, or expired less than 12 months ago) | Driving licence application form, plus a copy of your current licence, your traffic register number or a certified copy of your Namibian ID. Bring your originals too. |
| Card expired more than 12 months ago | Everything above, plus an affidavit explaining why you did not renew in time. |
| Card lost or stolen | Application form, ID and an affidavit. If stolen, report the theft to the police first. |
| Professional authorisation (PrDP) | See the section on professional drivers below. |
Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them. The regulations require an eye test for new applicants, and you may be tested at renewal too, so ask your office what to expect.
Step by step: renewing your card
- Check your expiry date and plan to apply at least six weeks before it.
- Gather your documents from the table above. Get the form from your NaTIS office.
- Go to NaTIS in person. Your photo, fingerprints and signature are captured for the new card, so you need to be there yourself.
- Pay the renewal fee. Keep your receipt safe.
- Ask about timing. Find out when the card will be ready and whether you need a temporary licence until then.
- Collect your new card. Your old card is destroyed when the new one is issued. The regulations allow uncollected cards to be destroyed 210 days after they reach the centre, so do not leave it there.
A renewal does not normally include a new driving test. The exception is when an examiner has reasonable grounds, based on your record of traffic offences, to doubt your driving skills.
What if your licence has already expired?
The law is clear that an expired licence does not authorise you to drive on a public road, even during the period in which you are still allowed to renew it. Driving with an expired card means driving without a valid licence.
Windhoek City Police have warned that driving without a valid licence can lead to prosecution, fines or even imprisonment. Insurers may also refuse to pay out if you crash while unlicensed, leaving you to cover the damage yourself.
How you renew depends on how long the card has been expired:
- Expired less than 12 months: you can renew by applying and paying the fee.
- Expired more than 12 months: you must satisfy the testing centre in writing that you had good reasons for the delay. The Roads Authority asks for an affidavit in this case.
Stop driving as soon as you notice your card has expired, and get someone with a valid licence to drive you to NaTIS.
Lost, stolen or damaged cards
If your card is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged, apply for a duplicate at NaTIS. You must apply in person with the form, your ID and the fee. If you cannot hand in the original card, you sign a declaration instead. An affidavit can be sworn before a commissioner of oaths, such as at a police station.
The law requires you to carry your licence while driving, but it also provides for a temporary authorisation when a licence is lost or destroyed. Ask for a temporary driving licence when you apply for the duplicate, so you can keep driving legally while the new card is made.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Renewal of driving licence (Roads Authority website) | N$250 |
| Duplicate driving licence (from June 2023) | N$200 |
| Temporary driving licence application (from June 2023) | N$50 |
| Professional authorisation (Roads Authority website) | N$360 |
Fees change from time to time, so confirm the current amounts at your NaTIS office before you go.
Tip: Keep a clear photo or photocopy of your licence card and ID at home. If your card is lost or stolen, having the licence details makes the affidavit and duplicate application easier.
Professional drivers: the PrDP
In Namibia the professional driving permit is officially called a professional authorisation, and it is endorsed on your driving licence. The regulations set three categories: P for passengers, G for goods and D for dangerous goods (which also covers goods).
A professional authorisation is valid for two years, much shorter than the five-year card. Apply to renew it at least six weeks before it expires. The Roads Authority lists these requirements:
- a completed application form for professional authorisation;
- a copy of your valid driving licence, traffic register number or certified Namibian ID;
- a medical certificate completed by a doctor, valid for two months;
- a certificate of conduct from the Namibian Police, valid for six months;
- for dangerous goods, a valid training certificate.
Coming changes
In October 2025 the Minister of Works and Transport announced plans for an electronic driving licence that can be kept on a phone, along with online booking and payment for NaTIS services. Until the electronic licence is officially launched, keep carrying your physical card.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to redo my driving test to renew?
Not normally. A test is only required if an examiner has good reason to doubt your skills because of your traffic offence record.
Can I renew my driving licence online?
Your photo and fingerprints are captured at renewal, so plan to visit a NaTIS office. Check the NaTIS Online portal for new services as they are added.
Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?
Only while your current card is still valid, or if you hold a temporary driving licence. Once the card expires, you may not drive without one.
My card expired two years ago. Do I start from scratch?
Not necessarily. You can still apply, but you must give written reasons for the delay, usually in an affidavit, and the centre must accept them. Ask your NaTIS office about your case.
Sources and official links
- Roads Authority: Renewal of driving licence and professional authorisation
- NaTIS Online (Roads Authority)
- Road Traffic and Transport Regulations amendments, Government Gazette 2815 (Legal Assistance Centre)
- Government Gazette 4186 (2008): amendment on renewing expired licences
- Road Traffic and Transport Act 22 of 1999 (Legal Assistance Centre)
- The Namibian: NaTIS raises service charges (2023)
- New Era: City Police advisory on driving without a valid licence (2025)
- NBC: Online booking and e-licence plans for NaTIS (2025)
- New Era: NaTIS upgrades to relieve congestion (2025)
Last checked: 10 October 2026. Rules, dates and fees can change, so always confirm with your NaTIS office before you go.
