Botswana’s Department of Information Technology (DIT) has partnered with Department of Road Transport and Safety to roll out an SMS for driving license service that alerts drivers on the renewal of their driving license.
The services is the first of its kind in the country and users will have access to their driving license status without having to travel or queue for renewal. A statement from of department stated the service will be convenient, effective and free.
SMS notifications will be sent through the registered user’s mobile phone number at the beginning of each month.
Analysts expect the services, whose pilot project was launched on July 13, to usher in a new dimension in the country’s transport industry as the technology will improve the service delivery to drivers thus minimising the time spent making follow ups.
The pilot electronic notification of driving license project is set to run for two months, once proved effective, the Department of Information Technology will expand it to other ministries for faster services delivery to the public.
The department of transport in Botswana is fast adopting technology use. It in June this year witnessed the introduction of e-transport system that allows passengers to carry along their prepaid card loadable with bus fare.
Owners of the public sector vehicles have to install Unique Identification Device (UID), which communicates with the card in question, once inserted for fare deduction by the conductor.
The cashless system, by Olekard, a company that specializes in making smart cards in the country, is aimed at helping passengers from exploitation of public transport operators who tend to hike fare when demand is high.
