Renewing my drivers licenseThey close at 15h30 officially but according to the security guard they were closed when I got there at 13h30. He was quite rude and adamant that they were closed already and refused to allow me to join queue.Went back the next morning at 9am and it took approx 2 and half hours to get to the door. I counted and there was approx 30 people ahead of me.The first lady behind the screen was very polite and helpful.You need to present -Utility bill / bank statement not older than 3 months in your name , 2 color pics, your ID & drivers licenceGoing from her to the eye test (very polite gentleman explaining clearly & concisely) He sanitizes equipment before & after useto the payment clerk ( efficent, speedy & polite)to the exit took roughly about 30mins.All in all it was pleasantWearing mask is compulsory and they provide sanitizer.Update9/11/21Received an sms notification to collect my new drivers licence card.Went shortly after 1pm.Took less than 5 minutes.Warmly greeted by the gentleman behind the desk, very friendly, fast and efficent.Produce your ID / PassportSignReceive and leave 👏No lines and no waiting

In terms of government run departments it wasn’t too bad. Queued for nearly two hours, outside on a Saturday which wasn’t much fun. But the staff were friendly and helpful where they could be. Government could definitely optimise the system but this traffic department manage it as well as they can in its current state.

Honestly, not bad. I went at 12.30 on a Monday, and was out by 2.30pm. Between 2pm and 2.30pm there was barely a queue outside, so perhaps this would be a good time to go.Staff were friendly, even though they are short-staffed and people dont always treat them kindly. Covid protocols were good. Just take a book and a good attitude.

They Quick and they help pensioners first

Despite everything youve heard about public service departments, this one had really friendly staff and COVID-19 spacing and delays aside due to lower staffing, the process from end-to-end was 1.5hrs, in and out.My wife and I went to renew a drivers licence card (16 September, Thursday around 12 noon - the queue outside was about 7-8 people, pretty quiet), make sure you have:* 2x black and white / colour ID photos* Proof of residential address* ID doc and DL* Pen, so you can ask for the DL1 form and fill it while youre waiting outside* They do accept credit / debit card paymentsYou can also take the eye test at the centre, its pretty quick and efficient and happens once youve gone inside.Steps:* Queue for the main entry* The first window is for type of application, you get the form and docs are checked* Then you move through to the waiting area for eye test* After this, its onto payments* 4-6 weeks after, collect through the entry on the left side (marked as collections)Thanks Hillstar!

As to be expected there will be a covid line but at least the line moves at a reasonable pace. Dont be in a rush. Have your relevant documents (proof of residence no older than 3 months) and photos at the ready . And just chill. You might make a friend (at a safe distance of course) (oh and dont forget any proof if ur surname has changed) take a little chair. Refreshments. Make a day of it.All around not the worst experience. Just be patient... the staff are helpful and provide service with a smile and a joke even under the circumstances. Stay safe.

It wasnt as bad as I thought it would be and I didnt really wait that long.

I just had a top class experience at Hillstar. The staff were really accommodating and friendly and helped me to the best of their ability, despite one of their testing machines not being able to take my picture. The important point is that they were really professional in dealing with the machine and me.P.S. - Check your requirements for license renewal - take proof of residence, ID book if your license has expired, 4 colour photos (some helpful guys doing it opposite the testing center) and money/card.

Had to renew my Drivers license. I wasnt keen to go under the Pandemic circumstances, let alone the usual challenges of using municipal services.I got there just after 7:30 and was about 7th in the line. I left Hillstar just after 8:30.Queue management was fine, Covid-19 screening was fine, and service was friendly, efficient and fine👍.

Queue jumping at it’s best! Building security at its best is = incompetent.Much like most of Cape Town traffic services… don’t bother with this place if fairness matters to you

There are no details on the website indicating they have a cut off time for intake of issues - why say you are open till 12:30 when in actual fact you are only open till 11:30.Why is the option to book for a Learners Licence not available online? If one can pay for your car license online, surely it is a similar function? Process the paperwork on the day of the test!

The lady doing the eye test was kind and professional. The other two staff members I interacted with (cashier and lady who checked my documents) who both on Whatsapp checking photos and NEITHER was wearing a mask. Of course, they were behind the security screens and I was much more concerned with the fact that they were not paying attention at all to my documents etc but would still have been nice to see some masks in place.

Very helpful and friendly staff ...

Pathetic excuse of a workplace staff unfriendly, unhelpful and very rude, I do not recommended going to Ottery Testing Centre. Service here is not bad its (PATHETIC)

Not a bad experience.

My husband and son went at 7:30am last SUNDAY morning and they were 3rd in the queue to book a Learners Licence. Opened at 8:00 and would have been done by 9:00 if they didnt have to pop out to get Affidavit from Police Station. To book take along... Passport/ID; two passport photos; proof of address and affidavit from police station if the applicant is not mentioned on the proof of address. Earliest date for test was 8 Jan 2021

Sanitizing checkpoint. Crowd control. Senior citizen priority. Friendly and efficient

Absolutely shocking service. There is one cashier and one person performing eye tests and three cleaners just chatting. No one smiles or is willing to assist with advice. Theres a long queue of unhappy people wanting to get to work. And yet the sign on the wall states: Vision... To be recongnised as one of the leading traffic services in the world.

Some asked about how to go about applying for a disabled disc.You need a letter from your GP explain the nature and constraints of your disability

Was a pleasant experience at Hillstar today when I went to renew my drivers licence. I was 7th in the queue when I arrived at 6:50am. They opened promptly at 8am. It took a total of 25minutes from start to payment. Staff were professional and social distance in place. It will take 6 to 8 weeks to get my licence for which I will receive an sms to collect. Come prepared with ID, old drivers license, I needed a single ID photo and they still take a photo for the actual license. Proof of address and funds to pay. It cost me R140 to renew. I didnt jeed a temporary license as my application was well within the extension period of 31st August. Getting in line early was worth the effort. Well done Hillstar !!

In and out in 20 minutes for my drivers license renewal! Fantastic service from everyone at the respective counters.Covid protocols strictly adhered to with sanitizing of stations after each person.

Thanks to the Traffic Rep who was amazing at helping us!!

People can say what ever they like good or bad. I like to do business at Hillstar why, covid protocols are in place, people behind desks are friendly and it is the first place I felt comfortable doing my learners for code ten. You guys rock!

The lines were extremely long and communication was bad.

Came through on a Monday at 2pm for my drivers renewal, from walking in, getting forms, doing eye test, paying, getting temporary license (as mine had expired), to walking out, took 12min! Super friendly, an insanely efficient! As long as you have your 2 photos, old drivers, id doc, some cash (mine was R185), and proof of residence, you are good to go. Well done Hillstar, much appreciated!

How frequently do you guys answer your emails?

After SPECIFICALLY asking whether they provided a specific service and being given the assurance that they do, stood in the queue for 2.5 hours only to be told that they dont when I got to the front!!!!!!!

Due to the pandemic, you will stand in a very long line to enter the building. Once youre inside, it goes very quickly

Went to renew my license on Saturday at about 8:45 am and was done by 11am. Everybody is very helpful and friendly and it was a very easy process.

My 2nd attempt to get my license renewed at this place. Mtoli sends me away before closing time even though an inspector had let me in. She has no regard for working class people who struggle to get the time off to come in...for her we are just a nuisanse. I will try and get my license elsewhere perhaps I will get better service in a white area. Sick and tired of government personnel treating us like nuisance as apposed to feeling they service us.

I went to book for my test and arrived at 08:04. There was a fairly long queue but the lady attending to it was very swift and polite. It took plus or minus 20 minutes to get helped. After I was done with her, I had to go for an eye test, I was number 5 in that queue but the man doing the tests worked like a robot, he was so fast, it was impressive. To get the eye test done took about 5 to 10 minutes. When I was done with the eye test, I had to stand in the queue to pay and select a date for my test. I waited another 5-10minutes. The cashier was outstanding. I needed to do my test very early, she was so friendly to organize a time that was initially not available. She ran around trying to get permission etc, which I really appreciated.Overall my experience at Hillstar was great. I had read the reviews before going and anticipated the worst but to be honest we need to give these hardworking and often underpaid employees credit...

A really amazing traffic department. There was a long queue which an employee split up into parts and set up a temporary work space to help organise things more quickly. The queue was processed and dissolved not long after. Everyone at the centre was friendly and helpful. Another employee suggested that I download the k53 app instead of buying the book. The app has been amazing and I wouldnt have known about it otherwise.

One of the better traffic departments when renewing drivers license. All stations ran as expected, very friendly and capable staff! Thank you!

Coz the people there are friendly & beautiful all of them God bless you all

Its usually quite busy in the mornings but less so in the afternoon. The staff were pleasant and helpful. I received my new licence within the prescribed time period.

How can you guys give a person a drivers license appointment this Saturday the 20th when Lockdown level 3 just started and drivers schools just opened , I didnt evens get enough lessons to prepare myself for the test due to the fact that driving schools were close . I asked an extension and I had a valid reason, you guys didnt evens consider or try to understand my situation . Just told me to do what I think is right, so you guys want me to take a test Im unprepared for?

Friendly, helpful and efficient. Quite impressed, definitely going in the right direction. Drivers license collection took 3 minutes from query and info desk to collection.

Took my son to book his learners licence test. Very helpful , efficient and friendly staff. Luckily there were no long queues and we were done in under 90 minutes.

Can you use a bank statement for a proof of address for a learner license appointment

Quick prompt service

Quick and helpful. A traffic department like no other. Arrive early and be rewarded with fast service.

Arrived at 8:15 a.m to renew my driving licence. Completed everything in 30 min.Efficient and friendly staff. A pleasant experience.

I was waiting outside in a line for 5.5 hours. Eventually when it was my turn to go for the eye test they closed the traffic department. It was an awful experience! They are completely disorganised.

Like many other applicants my fingerprints were rejected so had return to Hillstar this morning, 11 May. Doors closed with the message below.HS is closed on Saturdays but open for card collections only because some employees dont want to work a 6 day week which is understandable but it is an inconvenience. Hopefully this gets sorry quickly, Greenpoint & Mitchells Plain offices are open on a Saturday.

Service is as good as you can expect from a government agency

Regrettably, civil servants are overwhelmed by the numbers of persons looking for services provided by the Hillstar traffic department office. The person at reception was not helpful in directing you through the process of obtaining a learner permit. The rudeness from the civil servant is understandable, although not acceptable, and an additional staff member that helps direct the public would be very useful. The most friendly, resourceful and helpful person is the candy man at the door, who in matter of seconds and with kindness helped me understand the better option: go to the Ottery traffic department office!- Dimitri

The worst place & service, with a much of moody driver instructors that go with you for the drivers, & why they still working there, I dont know.... If you looking for someone that has patience & a good mood when you do your drivers, then dont go to Hillstar, that name needs to be changed, more of a Downhill Star, it doesnt even deserve 1 star, but theres no option to choose no stars. It basically feels like you have to fail to make them happy. When I failed, he gave a dirty smile to the lady that took me for driving lessons. The last time I was doing the exterior check around the car as told, then when I was done he told me to do it all over again, because he was busy having a conversation with one of hes friends, when I did the parking, my car was fully in the block once I reversed in, he said its not so he failed me, then when I got out, I was actually in the block, but theres no manager or anyone that you can call or show them the issue, they just dont give a damn, which already puts people off when doing their drivers, but the main question is, where the hell are the managers or someone in charge that you can report all of this to???If youve also experienced this, give it a like

Got 1 star because theres nothing lower than 1 star rating. There are a few very good people working here. But service delivery is the worst. Disgusting.

I had such service at Hillstar. I was there to book my drivers test, I literally spent less than 20 minutes and the stuff was so friendly and welcoming. I even chose my own date and time. Thank you :)

Very poor service thay are actually poor.. Thay have no way of talking to people and help no help at all.

One of the staff members was so rude and Incompetent. She could not read the visa expiry date right. 2018/12/31. The 12 was written poorly but if you look carefully, you can clearly see it’s 12 and not 02 and if she used her brain, she should know that there are no 31 days in February. When we tried to explain, she kept arguing and did not give us a chance to explain and told us to stop talking. Her whole attitude was wrong, even the other customers were siding with us. We just wanted a chance to explain properly and understood she was trying to do her job, but she kept talking over us. The visa was used once last week to book for the drivers test, so why is it a problem now when the visa is clearly valid. If she just used some logics, she could see that too.But the driving instructor was brilliant, he was very friendly and helpful. So thumbs up to him.

The slowest process ever. 30min avg wait for an eye test and finger prints with 25 people ahead of me. Waited 5 hours to get the eye test part done. Then another payment line which takes another hour or two. The vision should read To be recognised as one of the slowest traffic services in the world

The department is clean and tidy ,The staff are efficient but the queues are long they need to open more Tellers not just one.

I would give this place no stars if I could. They always fail people doing their drivers and nothing has changed since 1990 when I went to pass out and failed at two attempts. My thrird appointment i made at Green Point and passed first time there. My son now also failed twice and this after the driving school told him he is ready to pass out. They are surely looking for something to fail people. In my opinion, my son also drives well but they fail a person on any trivial matter. they are not very friendly officers or staff working there.

I went to get my licence renewed. On arrival I was told proof of address was needed and had to go back home to fetch this (3 other people had to do the same) . This was not shown on any website, so was annoying but lived close enough for it not to be a disaster. The staff at the eye test and counter were very friendly and helpful, made the process very simply and painless. Front desk staff were less friendly and despite there being a queue insisted on finishing her cigarette.

Professional, friendly and kind staff.

What an amazing little department. Happy helpful staff all smiling and making what is a tedious experience more enjoyable. Thank you to everyone there who helped me renew my drivers license. Absolute pleasure.

Efficient and fast service!

My experience was good , at least for a government service . I came in to apply for and complete my drivers liscence. The process was quick and the waiting time for test date was short. Driving instructors are also friendly and my reception in general was pretty good. Its a pity that only code 8 liscence testing is available here.

Their computer systems are very often down. On two occasions, more than a month apart, I have arrived at Hillstar only to discover that they can offer me no service due to failed computer systems.

Friendly and efficient staff. However one should expect to waste most of the day here. Take a book and sense of humour,

I would rate it a zero if possible, been waiting for my licence for 7 months now, staff is not so friendly, very impatient. Had to find out my fingerprints were taken wrong only when i went to check on my licence, why take them wrong in the first place? Can one then draw conclusion that some people there dont know what they are doing?

One teller until closing time. After closing all the tellers working so they can go home early. 4 hours in the queue.

Probably the only traffic department whose phone works!! Always answering and always so kind, patient and helpful!! Thank you for the amazing service, keep it up!!

A fine example of what national government is doing to previously exemplary local government run public services. #ItsAllDownHillFromHere

Friendly and efficient service. Licence replacement, including eye test, took under 30mins. Thanks Hillstar staff!

After reading all the reviews ( mostly bad ) I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I went all the way there this morning to book my learner test. Got there early . I have been told that nobody is working in that section and they wont open .

Staff are very friendly. Very helpful and caring. Despite being quite heavily understaffed by the City of cape town

2hours just for an eye test,and the staff smiles about it. Look at there Vision

Absolutely useless lost my finger prints. Made me come back and stand in line for hours to redo every test, even though I’ve had my drivers for 14 years!

The receptionist was rude on the call. I called to ask if I could reschedule my learners test and barely got any words out due to her cutting me off saying I need proof. I felt very hurt that I couldnt say anything after trying many times and getting cut off every time.I must say, that call made my day so much worse.

Really helpful staff. Went there as my license expired (unbeknownst to me) and they sorted it out quick quick, despite it nearly being closing time.

Efficient, helpful, and friendly staff. The process of renewing my licence was completed within 40 minutes. Admittedly I was there early.

Terrible service as usual all government departments need to up their service levels .

I have been phoning the traffic department since Thursday and it is now Monday. I have phoned 7 times already today and there is absolutely NO ANSWER!! I dont know what the staff are doing but they are definitely not anywhere near the phones. This is honestly pathetic.

My experience was aweful came back to the same place thrice because I was given wrong information with all the correct documents in place !! They say I was being rude but voiced my opinion in a professional manner trying to get all the information I can , the security on duty was Mr Kelen Williamson or Hendrickson! He grabbed my personal documents right out of my hand and saying that no one will assist me today! The refused too. All I’d like to do is renew my license!! Will someone please help me in doing so .

Worst experience ever. If I was to divise a hell, this would be it.. spent 3 hours there because they wouldn’t accept proof of address and I had to go print a bank statement. Then told me I failed the eye test after queueing for another 30 minutes. Told me to go to an optometrist in retreat. I went all the way there and he was out til1. So they closed and told me to come back on Monday with an eye check. Turns out my eyes were 6/6 on both sides and the optometrist said she had failed at the traffic department before. It’s a miracle a thing works In this country.

Mr. Symonds was incredibly helpful, he went out of his way to help with my unusual case. All other staff I dealt with were also very friendly. Thank you!

Got here at 1030am and now 1230pm. Only to renew my drivers licence. Only two people doing eye test and finger prints. They have three other additional areas with equipment but no staff there. Returned 6 weeks later for collection of my drivers licence card and was told its not there as some staff was on strike. A collection cannot be given as there system just says to wait. An area that improvement is needed. This is such a waist of time

The worst lack of renewal experience ever. I went to renew my drivers the morning. Was there second at 7am only to see a sign that says you must have proof of address on the front door. So I decided to come back after work. Went back and got there at 2:50pm and the lady at information wouldnt let me in along with 2 security guards. I told them it says they close at 3:30pm and that this is the second time I had now taken time off work to renew drivers. They then showed me a sign inside the building that says that you must be in line at 2:30pm to be served. No website says this and I am sure they just make up the rules that suit them. The staff were rude and obnoxious on the first working day of the 2017 year. They refused me entry.

After an hour and 45 minutes I get to the front of the queue to be told they off line with no solution other than to come back another time

Hillstar Traffic Department is conveniently situated in Ottery and thus is not so busy as in Green Point . Friendly , helpful young lady at information / reception as you walk into the building. She efficiently goes about getting your requirements and then quick pointers on the different forms that she highlights . Then you only enter the section with various counters and eye testing stations.You complete your forms for renewal of lisense , learners applications ( upscaling to motorbike and code 14 ) before doing your eye test . Then payment and dates for your various requirements. Pleasant experience with friendly , helpful staff all round.

Awesome service. Got there at 8 am, only to hear i needed my photos, got them across the road and still managed to be out by 8:45am. Friendly staff.

Quick and efficient

Queues queues queues, on a saturday morning if u get there opening time then you will be atleast 1 hour in a queue to enter the office. After that hour you get told that you need proof of address which people dont generally carry on them. There is no sign up stating this. Been here a few times over a few years and service is the same, no one co ordinates or tells you what the queues are for or where do go as there are many services offered here. Enough parking here, photos can be taken opposite the road for r80 for 4 photos. Snacks on sale at the entrance.

Waiting time was so long. Over 2 hrs to book a learners licence.

Very quick and efficient. Didnt spend more than 30 minutes to renew my license. Friendly staff!

They open at 08:00 I was done renewing my license at 08:23 great service

It took 30mins to renew my licence. The staff is very friendly and efficient. Thank you!

Worst service. Extremely inefficient. Rather stay away at all costs

Arrived at 7:45 on a Saturday to renew my drivers licence. Was 40th or so in the que, the place opens at 8. Two and a half hours later I finally got to pay and leave. Lots of staff around, but all walking about or chatting in the back, and very few working the desks. I wouldnt recommend going on a Saturday to anyone if you can avoid it. The staff I did see or chat to were friendly enough.

Long que but the service is efficient?

Pathetic queues. No direction system as to where to go to.Systems are practically slow. Its 2019 they still living in 1998

Very helpful people but be prepared to stay a bit longer on a Saturday morning. During the week isnt in and out.

Great service

Fast, friendly, efficient - I wish all traffic departments were like this!

I just spoke to Penelope but got the worst service ever. I phoned the Call Centre and they told me my Licence card left Pretoria on the 7th of November so i phoned Hillstar direct to find out if my card is perhaps there she told me to take a chance to come and see. She told me her hands are tied because she or whoever cant see or check if my card is there. I dont expect special service but waiting on my licence card for over three months and this is how public servants help.

Good day Guys, Since the beginning of March it takes approximately 30-40 min to reach the M5 (a distance of 100m) This is due to rising in taxi fair at end of February ..but the offenders that make use of illegal turning lanes at the cnr of klip and victoria to go straight is causing chaos and tempers to flare. It takes us almost 40min to reach the mosque at the robots coming from 7th avenue victoria rd. Please assist us before people get violent or worse.

Apparently not open for learners bookings on a Saturday. This has been for months, but not even a sign to indicate this. Idiots.

I went to renew my driving licence. Arrived at 12pm on a Thurday. It took 80 minutes. Waste of time but could have been a lot worse I guess.