East London has more than one place to deal with licences, vehicles and fines, run by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. This page lists the official centres we could confirm, what each one handles and how to choose between them.
Last checked: 13 September 2026. TrafficDepartment.co.za is an independent guide, not a government website. We do not book appointments, take payments or issue documents. Confirm fees, hours and requirements with the official source before you act: www.buffalocity.gov.za.
Traffic department and DLTC options in East London
East London Traffic Services (Driving Licence & Vehicle Testing)
- Type: driving licence testing centre, run by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
East London Registration & Licensing (vehicle registering authority)
- Phone: 043 705 3004 / 043 705 3003 (appointments); supervisors 043 705 3722 / 3723.
- Type: vehicle registration and licensing office, run by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Gonubie Traffic Services (Driving Licence & Vehicle Testing, Registration & Licensing)
- Phone: Driving Licence & Vehicle Testing 043 705 9734 (supervisor 043 705 9711); Registration & Licensing 043 705 9709/9710 (supervisor 043 705 9733).
- Type: traffic and licensing office, run by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Mdantsane Traffic Services (Learner’s Licence)
- Phone: Learner’s licence enquiries 043 705 9909 (supervisor 043 705 9903).
- Type: driving licence testing centre, run by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
King William’s Town Vehicle Registration and Licensing Station
- Type: vehicle registration and licensing office, run by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Traffic Control Room / general enquiries
- Type: traffic law enforcement office, run by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Office pages in the Buffalo City area
Each of these pages lists what the authority publishes for that office, including address, hours and services where they could be confirmed:
Which office should you use?
In East London the testing centres and the registration offices are usually separate buildings, sometimes kilometres apart, even when they share a name.
- Learner’s licence, driving test, licence card renewal or PrDP: a driving licence testing centre (DLTC).
- Licence disc, registration or change of ownership: a vehicle registration and licensing office.
- Fines: the authority that issued the fine, through its payment channels.
If one centre has no slots or long queues, another in the same city may be quicker. Driving licence services are generally not limited to the centre nearest your home.
Services available
- Accident/complaint reporting.
- Driving licence tests.
- Learner’s licence.
- Learner’s licence testing (per official page); other services not itemised for this location).
- Road markings/signage complaints.
- Traffic fine queries.
- Vehicle (roadworthy) testing.
- Vehicle registration and licensing.
- Vehicle testing.
Not every centre offers every service on this list. Check the individual centre above.
Booking and online services
Booking rules are set by the province and the centre. Some centres accept bookings on NaTIS Online; many in this province still book at the counter. Confirm with the office before you travel.
Details: traffic department online booking. Vehicle licence discs can be renewed online where the service is available: licence disc renewal.
Opening hours and contact checks
Hours differ between centres and change around public holidays and system upgrades. Queues usually close to new applicants before the doors do. Confirm with the municipality’s website on the day. See traffic department operating hours.
Recent report (2025-20): Buffalo City traffic and licensing offices resumed operations as lockdown eased from level 4 to level 3; expired docs got 90-day extension (source).
Driver and learner licence services
Vehicle licensing and fines
Tips for getting served faster in East London
- Go early in the week and avoid month-end, when queues are longest.
- Try a smaller centre on the edge of the city if the central ones are fully booked.
- Renew licence discs online where the service is offered, which avoids the queue entirely.
- Check outstanding fines before any licence or disc transaction, so the counter does not turn you away.
- Have every original document with you, since copies alone are usually refused.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the main traffic department in East London?
There is no single main office. Use the centre that offers your service and has capacity, from the list above.
Can I renew my licence at any centre in East London?
Generally yes, at any centre offering renewals, subject to its booking rules.
Is this an official website?
No. TrafficDepartment.co.za is independent. Confirm details with the municipality’s website. Browse other areas: Eastern Cape traffic departments.