A Bloemfontein Car Rentals & Travel Information

It’s often assumed that Bloemfontein does not have much to offer in terms of holiday activities and scenery.  Contrary to popular belief, Bloemfontein’s landscapes are intriguing and there are a host of sporting activities to partake in. Not to mention the ravishing roses which line the inner city.

As Bloemfontein which is also referred to as ‘The City of Roses’ or Bloemies, is the judicial capital of South Africa, one would assume that the city does not have much to offer.  The city is situated on the N1 between Johannesburg and Cape Town and is often the go-between or stop off city for most tourists or travellers en route to Johannesburg or Cape Town. Consider contacting a Bloemfontein car rental to ensure you’re able to travel around with ease.

Bloemfontein is located on an area of dry land yet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the beautiful sight of thousands of rose bushes which line the city.  In fact, expect to see more than 4000 variations of rose trees planted in the gardens in Kings Park.  Many homes in Bloemfontein have picturesque gardens which are strewn with plants and trees. This makes for a delightful city to discover.

In comparison to other major cities, Bloemfontein has a laid-back city where most of the residents do not live up to a rush-rush mentality.

Bloemfontein Attractions

Bloemfontein’s vast fields and lavish landscapes lend itself to edgy sporting activities.  An array of sporting as well as leisurely activities is available.  Kings Park hosts the popular Art in the Park a very popular event amongst local residents’ takes place on the first Saturday of every month.  If you’re in need of window shopping and a bite at restaurant, make use of your Bloemfontein car rental and venture  into the Loch Logan Waterfront where you’ll find various shops, pubs and entertainment facilities.  If you’re an art enthusiasts, the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery will whet your appetite. The gallery is a Cape Dutch house beneath sprawling lawns and huge trees and frequently hosts exhibitions. A quant tea garden is situated at the gallery.  Of course the annual rose festival is an event worth attending.

Bloemfontein Golf Course

Golf fanatics will enjoy the Bloemfontein Gold Club which is located approximately 6 kilometres and in close proximity to Maselspoort Road also referred to as the airport road.  The holes in the club consist of water holes and are amongst the toughest in South Africa.

Bloemfontein Zoo

The Bloemfontein Zoo is home to the Big Five and various other animals such as various antelope species, panthers, hippos and tiger.

Caledon Nature Reserve

The Caledon Nature Reserves is approximately 120 kilometres south east of Bloemfontein and 15 kilometres south of Wepener on Route 701. The Caledon River flows through the Reserve and is also home to the Welbedacht Dam which is situated in the south of the reserve.

Bloemfontein Historical Monuments

Bloemfontein has an array of historical buildings particularly the city centre which is lined with interesting architecture.  Amongst the various sights, you’ll find President Brand Street which is a national monument. The street showcases a number of museums and is lined with majestic trees.

The Naval Hill is an averaged sized nature reserve which has at least 192 hectors and is situated in the city centre. It is advised to use your Bloemfontein car rental to explore the vicinity as venturing by foot might be a hassle as the stretch is long.  The Orchard house is another fascinating building to visit as it showcases the world’s largest collection of orchids. A fragrance garden for the blind is located close to the Orchid house.

A Sunday morning service can be attended at the Anglican Cathedral where Major Henry Warden laid the foundation of the building in 1850.  Other historical buildings include the city hall which was designed by Sir Gordon Leith, the first Raadsaal which is a standard building which has dung doors and a thatched roof also erected by Major Warden in 1849 who did not have the luxury of using the services of a Bloemfontein car rentals at the time for easy access to various parts of the city.  The Government Building is a perfect example of Cape Dutch architecture and a charming fountain in the city features a mosaic of the city’s emblem.

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Cape Town

The City of Cape Town on the Southern tip of Africa is a famous melting pot of cultures and a prime tourist destination. Dubbed the “Mother City”, this location offers every desirable tourist activity under the sun. Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Cape Town is internationally known as one of the most picturesque travel destinations. Its trendy beaches and the iconic Table Mountain, together with the impressive floral surrounds, and the majestic Cape Peninsula justify this perception. It isn’t surprising then that it has been rated the most popular tourist destination in Africa, even outshining Cairo in the popularity polls. Part of its fame can be attributed to its favourable climate, natural splendour and first-rate infrastructure which make visiting the city a pleasure.

A Clash of Cultures

The history of the city is multifaceted and the reason for its cosmopolitan nature today. Everywhere you look there is evidence of its worldly identity: the Victorian architecture, traditional mosques, and upmarket, sophisticated boutiques and eateries point out the different cultural influences. This amalgamation resulted from the occupation of the region by the Indonesian, French, British, Dutch, and German settlers, as well as local Bushmen and the arrival of Hottentot and Bantu tribes over the years.

Top 5 Tourist Attractions

Cape Town is guaranteed to satisfy every taste – no matter how quirky or conventional. The list of to-dos is endless and will keep you and your fellow travellers enthralled for days. The variety of attractions range from the historical and architectural, to those orientated towards the outdoors and adventure.

* Table Mountain

Undeniably the city’s most breathtaking sight, Table Mountain recently made it into the final round of the New 7 Wonders of Nature contest. You can choose to either take a cable car up to the top or can enjoy a challenging walk through the Skeleton Gorge trail. Once you have completed the climb, the unbeatable views of the city will make the experience worthwhile.

* Robben Island

Located in Table Bay just below Table Mountain, Robben Island is a major symbol of South Africa’s segregated past. It is famously known for the isolated prison it hosted during the Apartheid years when political opposition figures such as former President and Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela were forced to stay there for many years.

* Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Situated at the foot of Table Mountain, the magnificient Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens hold more than 20’ 000 native plant species that can be observed at your own leisure. You will need at least an hour to stroll around the lower part of the gardens, or you can enjoy a shorter walk along the pathways of the slopes. Must-see attractions include the scented, protea, herb, and rock gardens. Don’t forget to stop off at the Bird Bath, a pool that occupies the centre of a shady area inhabited by 70-year-old yellowwood trees.

* Victoria and Albert Waterfront

Built in 1860 the V & A Waterfront is first and foremost an entertainment quarter that attracts over 13 million visitors annually. Its eclectic array of shops, restaurants, hotels and theatres attract crowds all year round – especially in the cold winter months. Named after Queen Victoria and her second son Alfred, this continues to be one of the liveliest locations in Cape Town.

* Chapman’s Peak Drive

This scenic meandering drive will take you from Hout Bay around Chapman’s Peak to Noordhoek on the Atlantic Coast, where you will experience the most impressive marine drive in the world. This 9km route has a total of 114 curves and offers travelers a marvelous 180° view of the surrounds. Stop off along the way at any one of the several picnic spots to absorb the natural beauty – if you are lucky enough, you may even spot a Southern Right whale. Be aware that the road has been under construction for the past few months and is set to reopen in October 2009, well in time for the 2010 World Cup.

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Compare Car Rental Companies

Many individuals and families plan their business trips or vacations intricately so as to make every moment of the tour enjoyable. These tours are planned well in advance in order to avoid any last minute hitches. Information related to their travel, hotel accommodation, local sightseeing and local conveyance are gathered from the Internet or from travel agents. Of the many arrangements to be made for a trip, whether business or leisure, securing a car rental is an important consideration.

Upon reaching their destination, travelers are advised to search information related to the various car rental companies in the city. Local newspapers and telephone directories are good sources of information for this purpose. After assimilating a list of various car rental companies, they should compare the services and prices being offered before taking a decision. In the United States, there are many popular car rental companies, some of them offering their services, nationwide. Alamo is one such company, which offers cabs on weekly rental basis in the price range of $189 to $249 depending on the type of car being rented.

With some car rental companies, customers can pre-pay and save 15% on weekday and weekend rentals. Most car rental companies provide a wide variety of services including flexible fuel and coverage options and 24-hour emergency roadside assistance. There are special rates for companies planning conferences, conventions and those requiring 11 or more cars at a time. Rental cars are also available for American citizens planning trips abroad.

Thrifty Car Rent is a car rental company that provides rental cars in both airport and local car rental markets. Through corporately owned and franchised shops, the company manages car rental services in more than 1,100 locations in 64 regions.

Customers with a valid driver license and a credit card in their name will find it easier to rent a car. The age requirement for a person to rent a car from these companies is typically 25 years. Younger customers can also rent cars but might be required to pay extra charges or have someone co-sign for the car, as well.

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Cape Town Ideal Weather for a Vacation

Cape Town is the most popular tourist site in South Africa. One of the reasons for this is the fact that the weather does not normally go below fifty degrees. The summers are dry and warm, which makes it ideal for vacationing. At this time, it is most common for visitors to take a dip at a local beach. There are many local residents who go on the beaches and are very friendly and willing to teach others to swim or surf. Cape Town is one of the many travel locations where guests who have forgotten their bathing suits will just as well rather jump in with their clothes than miss out on the fantastic water. Some of the beaches have cold water, while others are much warmer. There are some which will at some times be populated by the extremely cute African penguins.

The permanent residents of Cape Town speak many different languages. About half speak Afrikaans, while others speak Xhose, and other common South African languages. Around a third of all the residents of Cape Town do speak English, so there is not much worry for those who have traveled from the United States of America or the United Kingdom to feel as though they can not get around. However, it is always a very special tool to learn a few simple phrases in the most common native tongues of a city to not only penetrate language barriers, but to bring something home that you will never forget. There is a phrase that says ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans’ and many travelers swear by it. While on a trip to Cape Town, it is possible to find the familiar food in the restaurants, but many people like the new foods that are native to the area.

There are also a few sports which are played by those who live in Cape Town or within a near area. There is cricket, football, and rugby. It goes without saying that those who live at or near Cape Town are often amazing swimmers because of the availability of beaches. People who need to get to the best restaurants, hotels, sporting events, and other activities often take either a bus of a taxi to get where they are going if not a rental car. Even ferries can be taken, from which whales or dolphins are often sighted. Many people come to Cape Town to see the Table Mountain. The more adventurous travelers to the area can attempt to climb it and see Cape Town from the elevation of 3,500 feet. There is a little bit of everything in Cape Town. There is always some kind of adventure to unfold for natives and travelers alike

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Car Rental – Short Term, Long Term or Buy Back – which is the best deal?

If you are planning a Self Drive holiday around South Africa, there are three vehicle options open to you.

• Short Term Rental
• Long Term Rental
• Buy Back

So how do you figure out which is the best value for money and most practical option for you?

Let’s unpack these three options…

Short Term Car Rental
If you’re planning to hire a vehicle for anywhere up to a month this will be your best option. Short term car hire is available across a wide range – whatever vehicle you require, whatever your budget, you will be able to get mobile from one day to 30 days with any reputable local car hire company. The staff will walk you through the standard procedures and explain what is included – such as unlimited mileage, a free tank of petrol etc, as well as help you to select a car which meets your requirements in terms of features and extras like power steering, air-con etc.

If you plan to stay for 6 to 8 weeks or longer you want to weigh up the merits of Long Term Rental and Buy Back.

Long Term Car Rental
Most car hire companies offer discounted rates on Long Term Rentals. This term applies to any vehicle hired for longer than a month – in some instances it needs to be longer than 40 days for the discounted rates to apply.

Buy Back
This option has become increasingly popular in recent times. You are usually offered a completely serviced vehicle and are guaranteed that the agent will buy the vehicle back from you at a set price (depending on the condition of the returned vehicle) when you wish to cash it in. For periods of more than 6 weeks, Buy Back can be up to 60% more cost effective than long term rental options.

Many students prefer this option if they are going to be staying in South Africa for any length of time. Business men or working holiday makers also prefer this option.

It makes more sense to buy from an agency than to try buying a second-hand car independently – especially if you end up buying from the newspaper or from the ‘side of the road’. The Buy Back vehicle should be road worthy, comprehensively insured, Automobile Association registered, and covered for breakdowns. All this will be undertaken by the reputable agent. There should also be a limited guarantee on the vehicle. There is no hassle with trying to sell the vehicle privately when you have to leave the country, as the buy back clause ensures that the dealer will be paying you the agreed amount for the vehicle on your departure – no advertising costs, no hassle.

So what are the main differences between Buy Back and Long Term Rental options?

With a Rented car you get:
• Unlimited mileage
• Lower initial cost
• No age-restrictions on insurance
• Cheaper insurance
• East border crossings
• Unlimited number of drivers

With a Buy Back scenario you have:
• Insurance protection
• Vehicle guarantee
• Time and Energy saving
• AA membership
• Serviced vehicle prior to sale

You are now in the position to make an informed choice on whether to go for Short or Long Term Hire or Buy Back.

Whatever you choose you can be sure that the countryside of South Africa is beautiful from whichever vehicle you’re enjoying the scenery!

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Cape Town Car Hire – Aroundabout Cars

Travel destinations: Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa. The most beautiful city on the planet, as boasted by many travel guides. Now that’s a tough reputation to live up to. However if you are lucky enough visit this southern gem, it will not disappoint.

Table Mountain towers over a mix of colonial buildings, skyscrapers and brightly painted facades. White sandy beaches stretch from its core as surfers ride the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Catching a ferry to Robben Island offers a panoramic view of the oldest city in South Africa. The scenery is stunning from your state of the art boat, but your emotions are conflicted as you make your way to this historical island linked to a dark past.

Home of the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela was detained for 19 of his 27 year incarceration, you can’t help but feel what it must have been like for the prisoners. Surrounded by frigid, shark infested waters, freedom and beauty were right in front of their eyes, and yet they could not escape.

The guides are former inmates who make the experience that much more compelling. They tell personal stories of their time on the island and how they schemed and planned all the while to put an end to Apartheid. These men are true Hero’s and it is an honor to have them share their experience.

On the tour you will see Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell in the maximum-security wing, the quarry where he chipped away with crude tools and where the secret meetings of the African National Congress took place. They built a government here and he and the ANC eventually ran the country.

After a thorough history lesson, you have earned a drive to Simon’s Town to see the penguin colony. Rent at car or motorcycle and drive along the most scenic highway in the world. Chapman’s Peak is featured in many a film and commercial and you will see why. The enormous cliffs fall into the water with a two-lane highway carved into its rock face. Breathtaking.

Continue south from Simons Town to the Cape of Good Hope where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Stand atop of some of the world’s highest sea cliffs and look out over the sea, the only thing between you and Antarctica.

You can make it back to Cape Town before dinner and have a seafood feast at one of the many restaurants at the V&A waterfront. This trendy area has boutique shops, wine bars, cafes and theatres. Street performers sing traditional African music to perfection and you may find gymnasts or musicians performing on the main stage.

Strolling along the waterfront is a splendid and safe experience and you can lose yourself in the nightlife drinking fine wine and eating delectable food at reasonable prices.

While in South Africa you cannot leave without a visit to the wine country. Once you are used to driving on the other side of the road, you will have the confidence to take your rental car to Franschhoek, the wine capital of Africa. Take a wine tour at Grande Provence Winery and make sure to stay for lunch or dinner. The award-winning chef has made this restaurant one of the top ten in South Africa.

Walk through the streets eating ice cream as you browse art galleries and book shops, or take a drive in the countryside for another dose of breathtaking views.

You will need weeks to truly explore everything that there is to do around Cape Town. Safaris, Bungee Jumps, Shark Diving, Sailing, a trek up Table Mountain and a trip to the Western Cape and Garden Route will keep you occupied for days on end.

Not only is it a beautiful place to explore, it is also very reasonable at eight South African Rands to a dollar. You can stretch your money a long way there and spend as long as you want in the City known as the Mother of Africa.

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Cape Town Car Hire – Aroundabout Cars

Costs set to kick car hire into overdrive

Vehicle rental rates are expected to increase by between 10% and 12% this year, largely because of an increase in input costs, higher interest rates and higher car prices.

Wayne Duvenage, the chief executive of car rental company Avis, says that interest rates have increased 70% in the past 18 months and 35% of the cost of operating a fleet is made up of depreciation and interest rates.

The average cost of renting a car is about R280 a day, but he points out that this is about one third of the cost of a hotel room.

“Vehicle holding costs have risen significantly due to the interest-rate hikes along with new-car price increases and the increases in the price of petrol,” said Duvenage

“Other cost drivers such as general supplies, salaries and rent have also been driven up.”

Inflation in the car-rental industry far exceeds general inflation and this will force car-rental companies to increase their prices this year.

Duvenage says that at times such as this, “reckless competitive activity” often occurs, reducing the ability to introduce much-needed rate increases.

Smaller rental companies might push rates down to get corporate accounts, but this will push the industry backwards.

Budget Car and Van Rental CEO Ray Booth says that the cost of maintaining a fleet of cars is between 25% and 40% higher than last year, with salaries and accident- repair costs rising substantially.

The used-car market, into which Budget sells its fleet, is also very “soft”. Fleet cars are generally sold after nine months or 30000km, but this limit has been extended to 35000km.

Budget concentrates mainly on the corporate market, with only about 9% of its activity in the leisure market, although this figure increases during December and January. The group’s fleet-utilisation rate is about 75%, but at mid-week, it can rise to as much as 95%.

Booth says European business travellers are big users of the company’s fleet and the strengthening rand ate into the real profit on the daily rental of € 26. ‘‘Since last year, however, the rand has fallen by about 22% against the euro. That is the sort of increase we would need,” he says.

The group, part of McCarthy Motor Holdings, is “barely profitable and results will be lower than last year”, he says.

Anne Leonard, the director for international and local leisure rentals at Imperial Car Rental, says the group is still looking at prices and no decision has been taken yet. But she concedes that operating costs have increased significantly.

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CAPE TOWN CAR HIRE

If you are in Cape Town and you need to organize car hire there are two ways of going about it. Either you can phone around several different Cape Town car hire companies obtaining quotations until you find one that suits your needs, a painstaking process that can take for ever, or you can book one the easy way, by booking through car hire 4 Less on the Internet or by making just one phone call to our offices. Car hire 4 Less will guarantee that you get the very best prices and a car that precisely suits your needs. So if you are in Cape Town and need to hire a car all you have to do is to complete the form on our web page and you will have an answer within seconds. Car hire 4 Less has specials and discounts throughout the Western and Eastern Cape and throughout the whole of South Africa. Our Cape Town car hire prices are made in alliance with such industry leaders as Hertz, Budget, Alamo and Europcar and all deals are fully inclusive.

The contract that you get by booking through car hire 4 Less includes:

• Third Party Insurance, which covers injury or vehicle damage to a third party.
• Collision damage waiver immunity.
• Fire and Theft of the vehicle
• Airport surcharges
• Bail bonds (where necessary)

You will notice when you book your Cape Town hire car in that there are several collection points in the city. Make sure that you book to and from the correct Cape Town car hire point (there are a number in the area) or you may find that when you go to sign the contract there is no vehicle awaiting you!

There are a few things that the Cape Town car hire contract does not include, some of these are:

• Personal accident insurance – you can purchase this when you complete the contract.
• Other Insurances – e.g. Luggage and belongings
• Insurance exclusions – see relevant documents
• Fuel – you will need to leave a deposit with a credit card
• Tolls and traffic fines
• Delivery or collection fee – if you need the vehicle delivered to a specific address.
• After hours charges
• Optional extras – e.g. a GPS unit
• One-way rental charges – if you are dropping vehicle elsewhere than pick up point.

It is important to note that car hire 4 Less special low prices are normally offered for bookings of at least a week. Shorter bookings may be made but the daily price could go up a little. All prices are inclusive of VAT and can be booked either online or by phoning car hire 4 Less’ offices. Cape Town car hire can be anything from a luxury 4 x 4 with air conditioning to a small and very basic two-door saloon. If by chance you experience any mechanical difficulties or accidents involving your rental car, it is important to report the details to the local rental partner within 24 hours.

Intoweb Marketing is a online marketing company independently creating leads and business for car hire 4 Less via an affiliate marketing campaign. The information on the web pages describes the services or products car hire 4 Less offers to the marketplace. All online marketing web pages were created by an independent search engine optimizer with the goal of promoting car hire 4 Less on the internet. Intoweb Marketing as an internet marketing company strives to turn web pages into lead generating tools for a positive return on investment. Intoweb Marketing in addition offers other services such as pay per click management, email or newsletter marketing, seo training and marketing consultancy services.

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Cape Town Car Hire

Cape Town Tours Tour Wine Route

South Africa is one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating countries. It has many popular attractions – from the Big 5 to the magnificent mountain ranges. This means it is fast becoming a top tourist destination. Mmilo Tours operates within South Africa and has many different travel packages, some of these being their Cape Town tours. A tour of the wine route is popular amongst tourists. For this reason, wine route tours can be done either as part of one of their ready-made, group tour routes or it can chosen as part of a tailor-made route to suite your needs.

Winemaking in the Cape is strongly based on the Germanic tradition and method, although it has also been influenced by the French traditions. Wine cellars are a popular destination on most Cape Town tours. To tour a wine route means to not only taste some of the best wines in the world but also to visit the national heritage sites, top quality restaurants and spas which for part of many wine estates. South African wines are growing increasingly globally. This is seen in the recent increase in wine exports from the South Africa over the past years. When taking a Cape Town tour or a tour of a wine route, Mmilo has a variety of different packages.

One of the ready-made, group tour options is the Eden Tour. This tour includes both Cape Town tours and a tour of a wine route. This 10 day tour starts in Port Elizabeth and slowly winds its way around the coast to Cape Town. Along the tour you will be able to participate in activities such as lagoon boat cruises and explorations of the Cango Caves. There are also several other optional activities should you wish to take part in them, such as visiting the Maritime Museum in Mossel Bay. The basic cost for this tour is $3244.3317.

Another top choice is the Rediscovery Tour. Although this is partly a Cape Town tour, to tour a wine route and other aspects of the Cape, it also journeys Durban in the KwaZulu Natal province. The wine tour aspect sees the groups visiting several top wine cellars in the town of Stellenbosch. The whole journey lasts 10 days and aims to share with visitors a variety of experiences offered by traditional Durban and Cape Town tours, from a tour of a wine route to a visiting the famous V&A Waterfront and historical sites. The baseline cost for this tour is $3266.3803.

Mmilo Tours is for the traveler who enjoys the luxury of four-star accommodation and travel, whether on the Cape Town tours, a tour of a wine route or tours of the Kruger National Park. All accommodation is in small to medium sized lodges, to ensure an intimate experience. Furthermore, Mmilo Tours groups are kept small, usually not exceeding 30 members. Tour guides are all South Africans, to ensure an authentic experience. All of this is part of Mmilo mission to provide visitors to South Africa with enriching, enjoyable and relaxing holiday.

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50 PERCENT INCREASE IN BIKE TEST BOOKINGS

Quality Car Hire in Cape Town and South Africa from AroundAbout Cars

August 18, 2008
By Maureen Marud

If there is a seemingly endless wait for an appointment at the local driving licence test centre, use another one, advises Vernon Little, assistant chief of Cape Town Traffic Services.

Little said: “You can go anywhere in South Africa to do a driving licence test if you have a valid learner’s licence. No centre may turn you away because you do not live in the area.”

And here are the numbers you’ll
need to dial in Cape Town. 

Little recently unveiled plans to cut waiting times from the current six-months average to three months for a driving licence test, and two months for a learner’s test

‘Test stations were inundated early in 2008 by a last-minute rush’

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Booking backlogs were caused by various factors, he said, one of them going back five years.

Test stations were inundated early in 2008 by a last-minute rush of drivers trying to meet the five-year deadline for renewing licences they took out in 2003 when the deadline for changing to card licences created a “deluge” of applicants, many of whom were tested at an emergency station in the Athlone stadium.

He added that backlogs had been aggravated by higher fuel prices as more road users turned to motorcycles to save on fuel bills.

“Cape Town’s traffic departments have been inundated with a 50 percent increase in bookings for motorcycle learner and driving tests in the past year,” he said

‘Licence applicants are coming to the centres ill-prepared for their tests’

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But only four of the city’s 16 testing stations are equipped to test for motorcycle licences – and at Gallows Hill in Green point licence tests for motorcycles and heavy motor vehicles are done in the same area but can’t be done at the same time because of space restrictions.

Another problem, he said, was that licence applicants were coming to the centres ill-prepared for their tests. For instance, a cracked windscreen or an expired licence disc meant the examiner could not conduct the test in that vehicle.

“We can’t take the vehicle out on the road, so that person fails automatically.”

The relatively low pass rate of 35 – 40 percent at all the city’s stations was partly the fault of driving schools, some of which used unregistered instructors.

“Province has identified the need for all driving schools to be accredited,” Little said.

Plans to cut the backlogs included opening new test centres and employing more cashiers, clerks and testing officers.

Little said three new centres opened in 2007 – in Khayelitsha, Joe Gqabi and Ottery – and one in Mitchells Plain was expected to open by November 2008.

A new centre in Fish Hoek, to serve the southern peninsula, would open within the next 24 months.

Other plans included a revamp of the Milnerton and Brackenfell centres, a new test track at Kuils River, an upgraded test track at Bellville and a new centre in Somerset West after the old one was closed. – The Argus