National Land Transport Amendment Act, 2023, Commences

Posted 12 September 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Transport

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The National Land Transport Amendment Act, No. 23 of 2023, is now operational following a presidential proclamation in the Government Gazette, alongside the publication of its implementing regulations.

In terms of the proclamation, the Act amends the National Land Transport Act, No. 5 of 2009, to resolve technical issues arising from the principal statute’s implementation. The amendment aims to align the legislative framework with the 2007 public transport strategy and action plan, specifically addressing the evolution of the transport sector since the repeal of the National Land Transport Transition Act, No. 22 of 2000.

Key Regulatory Changes

The National Land Transport Amendment Act, No. 23 of 2023, introduces several substantive changes to the management of South African land transport:

  • Provisions to cater for the formal introduction and regulation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems.
  • The consolidation of transport functions at the local government level, furthering the decentralisation process initiated by previous legislation.
  • Technical corrections to the National Land Transport Act, No. 5 of 2009, to improve administrative efficiency.
  • Implementation of the 2007 public transport strategy through updated regulatory requirements.

The implementing regulations, which were released for public comment in November 2024, provide the procedural framework for these changes. These regulations have significant implications for the issuance of operating licenses and the standardisation of transport services across municipalities.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; however, legal and compliance professionals must update their regulatory registers to reflect the commencement of the 2023 Amendment Act and the shift in transport authority to local government levels.
  • For your business: Firms operating in the logistics and transport sectors must review their current operating licenses and ensure compliance with the consolidated transport functions now managed at the municipal level.
  • For your clients: Public transport operators and developers of BRT infrastructure must ensure that all new and existing projects align with the technical standards and licensing requirements specified in the 2023 Amendment Act and the November 2024 regulations.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/national-land-transport-amendment-act-2023-in-force

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