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.
What is the difference between code ec and ec1
see my article here
Good Day,
When I went for my Vehicle License Code 8 in 2009, the instructor was more obsessed with the vehicle than what I was doing, when I renew my license in 2014 they stated I have a restriction for an Automatic vehicle only – how do I remove this as I did my license with a manual???
I don’t know you would have to discuss it directly with the traffic department. They should have the details of your test on record
Hi
Is it possible to skip all licences code8 and 10 and head straight to obtaining code14( EC )
yes
Hi!
My son has just turned 16yrs and I’d like to get a driver’s licence for him because he attends school far from home and also attends evening music classes. I can’t cope with his schedule as I also have commitments that goes far beyond his time schedule.
Can I arrange that he applies for a driver’s licence because he can drive and is very reliable?
Thanks.
I don’t know of any allowance that is made to allow minors to drive.
He is able to get a motor cycle licence at age 16
can a person with codex14 licence use it to drive a sedan vehicle with it.
yes
hi Gareth
can a woman acquire code 14? And do we have code 11 in the codes?
Driving licences do not discriminate on basis of gender. As you can see in the above table there was a code 11, but all the codes have changed to the new letter format.
Hi Gareth,
Can you get a PDP if you have a code 8 license?
yes
What does an Ec 1 with restriction 04 means?
EC1 implies vehicles up to 16 tons with any trailer. But the restriction 4 allows you to additionally drive a bus that is over 16 tons.
It is all written on your driver’s licence.
Hi
Can I convert my CODE 10 learners licence to CODE 8, or be able to go to a Code 8 driving test???
you can do a code 8 test with a code 10 learners
i got ec1 o,4 Can i drive rigid over 16t with a trailer
No. Under 16t only. As written on the back of your driver’s licence