Municipal traffic departments handle traffic fines, vehicle licensing and registration, and traffic policing. Which office you need depends on whether your matter is a fine, a licence renewal or an enforcement issue.
Traffic department contact details
| City of Cape Town, traffic fines | 0860 103 089 |
| City of Cape Town, motor vehicle registration | 0860 103 089 (Call Centre Option 4), or [email protected] |
| City of Cape Town, Metro Police and Traffic Services | 0860 765 423 |
| City of Cape Town, traffic signal faults (24 hour) | 0800 656 463 |
| Tshwane Metro Police | 012 358 7095 or 012 358 7096 |
| Johannesburg (JMPD) | 011 375 5911 |
Sources: capetown.gov.za, tshwane.gov.za and joburg.org.za.
Motor vehicle queries in Cape Town
The City of Cape Town routes motor vehicle queries through Option 4 of its Call Centre, available Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 17:00. Unlike the water and electricity options, this is not a 24 hour service, so call within office hours.
Traffic fines
Have the notice number from the fine, your vehicle registration and your ID number ready when querying a fine. If you are disputing it, note the date, time and location on the notice, since a representation usually has to be made within a set period from the date of the notice.
Pay fines only through official municipal channels. Traffic officers do not collect cash payments at the roadside, and a demand for an on-the-spot cash payment to avoid a fine is a bribe rather than a lawful process.
Licensing versus traffic policing
Vehicle licence renewals, roadworthy certificates and driver’s licence applications are handled by licensing departments and testing centres rather than by the metro police. Traffic policing, roadblocks and enforcement sit with the metro police. See licensing department contact details and driver’s licence testing centre contact details.
Related pages
- Traffic fines contact number
- Metro police contact details
- Licensing department contact details
- Roads department contact details
FAQs
- Who do I contact about a traffic fine in Cape Town? The Call Centre on 0860 103 089.
- Do traffic departments handle driver’s licences? Licence applications and renewals go to licensing departments and testing centres, not the metro police.
- Can I pay a fine in cash to an officer? No. Fines are paid through official municipal channels only.
Additional contact routes
- Buffalo City customer care (Mon to Fri, 08:00 to 16:30) –
043 722 0660 - Buffalo City after hours –
086 111 3017 - Buffalo City law enforcement –
043 722 1819 - Buffalo City law enforcement (alternate) –
043 722 1836 - RTMC, to report bad driving –
011 266 2088 - NaTIS online support email –
[email protected] - eMalahleni switchboard –
013 690 6222