Reinstating driver licences

A recoverable Special Needs Grant may be made for a client to reinstate a driver licence of any class if they:

• had their driver licence disqualified and/or
• surrendered their driver licence because they were required to give it up or decided not to drive anymore and handed it in and
• qualify for their driver licence to be reinstated

Note payments can only be made to clients who have completed their suspension/disqualification period and who are eligible to reinstate their licence. This does not include a person who has been disqualified for more than 12 months as they would need to apply for a new licence.

Generally, 1 payment each may be made to the client and their partner during a 52-week period. MSD can use discretion to grant more than 1 Special Needs Grant in a 52-week period if the client has exceptional circumstances.

Clients who have had their driver licence disqualified for longer than 12 months need to complete and pass a test to get their licence back. They will need to pay a requalification fee, which includes the cost of the test.

A Special Needs Grant for the requalification fee cannot be made under the driver licence category, but MSD should consider if the client would qualify under the 'other emergency payment' grant category.