An African country operates with a single printing machine for driver's licenses... and its maintenance in Germany

Staff are working "around the day" to issue driver's licenses to South African drivers, after months of being unable to drive fully legal on the roads because the country's only license printing machine broke down and sent abroad for repair.

Transport Minister Vikel Mbalula wrote on Twitter this week: "The license card machine has been repaired and is in operation. Staff are working alternate night and day shifts to ensure your licenses are prepared and delivered."

"The machine is working. It has been fixed... We have resumed work. Here are your cards. They are coming to you!"

The machine was sent to Germany for repair in November.

During the downtime, hundreds of drivers had no choice but to drive with expired permits.

According to media reports, the machine was the last of the printers purchased by South Africa in the 1990s.

In South Africa, driving licenses must be renewed every five years.

Mbalula started the process of preparing a new machine for issuing licenses during the absence of this machine from service.

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