Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says he doesn't expect another renewal grace period.

The card-making machine that broke down last year and had to be sent to Germany for repairs is back in the country.

Mbalula says he expects the backlog to be cleared soon.

"I demonstrated to you how the machine works, it's not a photocopy machine, it's very big. The use of that machine was officially started in 1998 by Mac Maharaj. We are probably among the last 13 countries that still have that type of machine," the minister said.

"The problem with that machine was not major. It does have breakdowns but this was blown out of proportion. It has been fixed. We are working very hard to do away with the backlog. We are producing 400,000 cards per month.

"We think by April we would be done with a backlog of around two million people. It's not on our agenda to extend [the grace period], hence my call to all people, go and renew your driver's license, and be in the queue to renew your driver's license card. There will never be another window."

eNCA