It constantly frustrates me how although since 1998 (16 years ago) the official licence system has made use of a system of letters to distinguish between different licence codes, to this day, people still, on a regular basis, refer to licence codes by the old number system.
To make things easier for people who are getting confused, I’ve pulled the data from the Road Traffic Act and put it together here, first the learner’s licence, then driver’s licence info. The system has undergone several changes over the decades and the time frame that each refers to is specified at the top of each column
I’ve also added a copy of a current driver’s licence to show what the current codes refer to.
Learner’s Licence system
| learner’s licence issued before 1 March 1998 | New/Current Learner’s Licence | What this currently entails |
| Code 01, 02, 03, 04 and 15 | Code 1 | Motorbike / trike |
| Code 05, 06, 07, 08 | Code 2 | LMV |
| code 10, 11, 13 and 14 | Code 3 | HMV or LMV |
Driver’s Licence
| Current | [1995 – 1998] | [01.06.1990 – 1995) | [31.12.1985 – 01.06.1990) | [01.02.1972 – 31.12.1985) | [01.01.1967 – 01.02.1972) | [… – 01.01.1967) |
| A1 | Code 01 | Code 01 | Code 01 | Code 01 | Code 01 | Code 01 |
| A | Code 15 | Code 02 Code 15 Code 03 Code 04 |
Code 02 Code 03 Code 04 |
Code 02 Code 03 Code 04 |
Code 02 Code 03 |
Code 02 Code 03 |
| B | Code 05 Code 07 |
Code 05 Code 07 |
Code 05 Code 07 |
Code 05 Code 07 |
agricultural / industrial vehicles | |
| EB | Code 08 | Code 08 | Code 08 | Code 08 | Code 08 | Code 08 |
| EC1 | Code 10 | Code 10 | Code 10 | Code 9 | ||
| EC | Code 11 Code 13 Code 14 |
Code 11 Code 13 Code 14 |
Code 11 Code 13 Code 14 |
Code 10 Code 11 |
Code 10 Code 11 |
Code 10 |
Current SA driver’s licence codes
A code 6 licence could be given for any category licence referring to an electrically powered vehicle.
A code 12 licence could be given for any category licence referring to a vehicle that is specially adapted for use by a physically disabled person.
All info is from the Road Traffic Act, Regulations, Chapter V: Fitness of Drivers, Part ll: Learner’s and driving licences and it goes into a lot more detail than I’ve displayed here. You can click the following terms if you would like more info on the SA Driver’s licence system or the Professional Driver’s Permit.
hi would like to knw if i can drive the semi truck (kia/hundayi) with 8 licence. the mass of the truck is still under the 1 specified under light motor vehicle on the cladd B thanx
As long as it’s less than 3.5 tons GVM you shouldn’t have any problems
Can any one help by telling me what the road traffic act says about external drivers lisenses and pdp’s, like Zimbabwian lisenses
Hi anneke. See my other article on the PrDP licences. In the comments there is some discussion. But if you drive a vehicle in south Africa that requires a PrDP, then you need a drivers licence for that vehicle and an equivalent PrDP. I believe the Zimbabwean equivalent is a ‘Defensive driving’ licence
Hi,
I’ve looked for the official info of the old drivers codes compared to the new as displayed on your blog. You say “All info is from the Road Traffic Act, Regulations, Chapter V: Fitness of Drivers, Part ll: Learner’s and driving licences and it goes into a lot more detail than I’ve displayed here. ”
I clicked on your link and went to the page.. but couldn’t find the info. Please would you be so kind as to give me the exact url to it so that I can do screen shots. I need to be able to prove, to the traffic department in Australia what a code 8 and a code 2 drivers licence is called these days.
I have written to the consulate and had no reply. I have written to the Traffic department in SA to 3 different email addresses and had no reply. I need this info really badly.
Thanks for your help!
Sylvie
Unfortunately on that website I can’t give you an exact url. But make sure you go to the bottom of the menu on the left and click on regulations before looking for the correct chapter
Thank you So MUCH!! :-)
Does my code 08 licence cover me to ride a 125cc scooter
No it doesn’t. You need to do a separate licence for motor bikes.
Good Day
I’m a holder of an EC1 0,4 driver’s licence. Am I permitted to operate a horse and a trailor truck, and which size ?
Hi Mandla
I think you can, the GVM of the combined vehicles must just be less than 16 tons
Been looking for old vs new for a few days, got this one great work thanks.
Hi Gareth
I have a drivers test coming up & I’m currently comparing vehicle hire prices for the day.
Type of test : DL for heavy MV
Licence code: EC Artic MV, >16000kg
Please inform me about the kind of vehicles that are permitted for the test.
You need an articulated truck which has GVM over 16 tons.
Hi Gareth
Also a big thank you from my side. I was wondering about the mapping of old to new codes, and found the info here most helpful.
Glad to help.
Hubby got code 8 in early 1980’s and later went on to get additional code 10. His new licence says EC1. Does this still cover code 8?
yes
Hi
My son wants a licence for a passenger car/ldv pulling a Venter type trailer.
1 Which licence code do he need to apply for?
2 What type of vehicle should he use for the practical test of the above code licence?
light motor vehicles are class B. If he just wants to tow a Venter, then a standard B licence will be fine. If he is going to want to tow something bigger (GVM > 750kg), an EB is required. Any LMV can be used for a B licence, for an EB a caravan or other large trailer will be required.