Download Form ALV (MVL1)
vehicle licence renewal form.
The official South African Application for Licensing of a Motor Vehicle (Form ALV, also known as Form MVL1). Download the free PDF below, print it, fill it in by hand, and bring it to any participating post office or DLTC.
ChatBack handles vehicle licence renewals on WhatsApp — no form, no queue, no driving to a branch.
What is Form ALV (MVL1)?
Form ALV — short for Application for Licensing of a Motor Vehicle — is the official South African form used to renew the licence of a motor vehicle when you don't have your MVL2 renewal notice. It is sometimes referred to as Form MVL1, ALV(9) or simply the licence renewal form.
Anyone in South Africa can use this form. It's free to download, fill in by hand, and submit at any participating post office or Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC).
When do you use Form ALV / MVL1?
- Your MVL2 renewal notice never arrived in the post (a common problem due to Post Office delays)
- You've lost your renewal notice
- You've moved address and the notice went to the old one
- You're licensing a vehicle for the first time after a change of ownership
How to fill in Form ALV — step by step
- Print the form after downloading it above. It must be on plain white A4 paper.
- Fill in your ID number and full name exactly as they appear on your ID document.
- Fill in your physical and postal addresses. The postal address is where future renewal notices will be sent.
- Fill in the vehicle details: registration number, vehicle identification number (VIN/chassis number), engine number, tare weight, vehicle make and model. All of this is on your current licence disc or RC1 (registration certificate).
- Sign and date the form. Black or blue pen only.
- Bring it to a post office or DLTC with your ID, proof of residence (under 3 months old) and current disc.
- Pay the provincial licence fee. The clerk will issue your new disc on the spot.
How much will you pay?
The fee depends on your province and the tare weight of your vehicle. Light motor vehicles typically cost R300–R900 per year; bakkies and SUVs cost more; motorcycles and caravans have flat fees. See the complete fees-per-province schedule, or use the calculator on that page for an instant estimate.
If your licence has expired by more than 21 days, you'll also pay pro-rata arrears (the licence fee for the months you drove with an expired disc) plus a late penalty of 10% of the annual fee per month overdue. The penalty is capped at 100%.
Documents to bring with Form ALV
- South African ID (or passport plus permit if you're a foreign national)
- Proof of residence — utility bill, bank statement or lease not older than three months. Not in your name? Bring a signed affidavit.
- Current licence disc or RC1 (registration certificate) so the clerk can confirm vehicle details
- Payment — most post offices accept card; some smaller branches are cash-only
Related forms you may need
If your vehicle situation involves more than just a renewal, you may need one of these instead of (or alongside) Form ALV:
- Form RLV — registering a new or transferred vehicle in your name
- Form NCO — notifying the licensing authority of a change of ownership when you sell or buy a vehicle. See selling a car — change of ownership for the full process.
- Form NCP — notifying a change of personal particulars (address, name, contact details)
See the full forms library.
Frequently asked
Is Form ALV the same as Form MVL1?
Yes. ALV (Application for Licensing of a motor Vehicle) and MVL1 refer to the same form. Different traffic departments and provinces have historically used slightly different names. You'll also sometimes see it called ALV(9), ALV(9)(2011/7), AVL or arv form — they're all the same.
Can I fill in the ALV form online or electronically?
No — the form must be completed by hand on paper and submitted in person at a post office or DLTC. If you'd rather not deal with the form at all, our partner ChatBack handles the entire process over WhatsApp.
What if I'm renewing late?
You can still use Form ALV. You'll pay the annual licence fee, pro-rata arrears for the months overdue, plus a 10%-per-month penalty. See our fees page for the full calculation, or the no renewal notice guide for the late-renewal walkthrough.
Where can I download Form ALV in Afrikaans?
The form is bilingual — both English and Afrikaans appear on the same PDF. Just download the English version above.
Is this the official form?
Yes — this is the same form issued by the South African Department of Transport and used at every DLTC and post office. We host it here for easy access.
Still confused? Skip the form.
Message ChatBack on WhatsApp and they'll renew your licence for you — send your reg number, tare weight and expiry date for a quote. After payment, the renewed disc is delivered to you.