When do you require a PDP / PrDP licence?

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I was recently in a discussion with friends over when one actually needs a PDP licence? One of them is a missionary who often transports people around in one of the church’s Quantums. Investigating the situation it all comes down to how you want to define certain things. The following is the simplest breakdown to determine if you need one or not:

Click for full size modified from: foresightpublications.co.za

Click for full size
modified from: foresightpublications.co.za

The biggest thing to decide is on the concept of paying customers. Certain websites state it as “a motor vehicle used for the conveyance of persons for reward” and others as “other vehicle carrying paying passengers”. These are two very different topics. In my friend’s case, the passengers aren’t paying, but she may be receiving remuneration for her work at the church and such as is required to drive the mini-bus as part of her duties, thus she would fall in this category.

If we look at the regulation itself:

National Road Traffic Act, 1996 – National Road Traffic Regulations, 1999 – Chapter V: Fitenss of Drivers – Part IV: Professional Driving Permit – 115: Certain drivers of certain vehicles to hold professional driving permit

1) Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2), a professional driving permit shall be held by the driver of –

… e) a motor vehicle used for the conveyance of persons for  reward …

Thus if she is being remunerated for her work she would probably require one. It also explains why on sports tours at university we didn’t require one, as we were not being paid for driving.

Other things to note:

  • The currently used Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) is the continuation of the old Public Driving Permit (PDP) which was used pre 1998 and excluded certain provisions which are now included under the PrDP.
  • Price will vary with time.
  • A D (dangerous goods) licence includes a G (goods) licence.
  • One can hold both a P (people) and G, or P and D PrDP licence at the same time.
  • The minimum age for a PrDP licence is 18 for a G licence, 21 for a P licence, and 25 for a D licence.
  • If it’s a goods vehicle under 3.5 tons, it does not require a PrDP.
  • If it’s a vehicle of any size used to carry passengers for reward, or has 12 or more seats, a PrDP is required.
  • Almost all vehicles over 3.5 tons will require a PrDP, either for carrying passengers or as a goods vehicle. This is irrelevant of whether you are transporting goods or passengers at the time or not.
  • A vehicle over 3.5 tons, but is not a goods vehicle, does not require a PrDP. I’ve seen several people make mention of the Ford F250 and how traffic officer’s have demanded a PrDP. According to the law it is not required unless it can be defined as a goods vehicle. It does however require a C1 (old code 10) or higher licence.

This opens another discussion on the definition of goods vehicle. The RTA defines goods as

any movable property

and a goods vehicle as

a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, motor tricycle, motor quadrucycle, motorcar, minibus or bus, designed or adapted for the conveyance of goods on a public road and includes a truck-tractor, adaptor dolly, converter dolly and breakdown vehicle

Which is very vague, so people who get fines for their F250 should probably just right a nice letter trying to explain how their vehicle is a private vehicle and should not fall under the definition of a goods vehicle.

To get a PrDP you must also not have been convicted of certain crimes within the space of 5 years (NRTA):

if the applicant has, within a period of five years prior to the date of the application, been convicted of or has paid an admission of guilt on –
i)    driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug having a narcotic effect;
ii)    driving a motor vehicle while the concentration of alcohol in his or her blood exceeded a statutory limitation;
iii)    reckless driving; or
iv)    in the case of an application for a category “P” and “D” permit, an offence of which violence was an element;

With regards to foreign/international/overseas driver’s licences, the exact law is unclear and interpreted differently. My interpretation of the NRTA (specific section) matches Fleetwatch here. If you wish to drive a vehicle that requires a PrDP, you either need a South African licence with a PrDP, or you need a licence from a prescribed country with their equivalent of the PrDP (for example Zimbabwe’s Defensive Driving Licence). If you have a licence from any other country you are not permitted to drive such a vehicle.

This is however countered by the AA in this response of their’s in which they essentially state that if you are allowed to drive a PrDP vehicle in your country, you can drive it in SA.

Please note, I am in no way an expert with regards to traffic laws or any related topic, I am merely laying out the information as I’ve found it, all comments below are also given with a view from the facts I know, always enquire at your local traffic department when uncertain.

764 thoughts on “When do you require a PDP / PrDP licence?”

  1. Prdp! why must I have prdp to teach how to drive, but not to convey goods for a reward.I AM A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR.

    • Technically you’re transporting passengers for reward, and are thus required to have a category P PrDP licence. Yes it’s a bit of admin and there are costs involved, but there’s no real work required to getting the PrDP licence. Remember you’re responsible for teaching these people how to drive, and everything they learn about driving will build on from what you’ve taught them.
      Although it’s true you don’t need a PrDP for transporting goods, that only counts for vehicles less than 3.5 tons.

      • Hi I hope you enjoyed you’re festive holidays,what my concern is about my drivers licence I’ve been with this Code 10 EC1 since from 1997 even now I’m still renewing my Pdp,and my concern is I’m driving a truck with it,could you please explain to me what must I do or must I upgrade it and what is needed.cheers

        • Hi Simon, what are you wanting to upgrade? Are you wanting to get a code 14 (EC)? If so you need to redo your learner’s licence, and then redo your driver’s licence in a vehicle that is acceptable for an EC licence.

  2. I have a 3500kg Iveco panel van. never carring passengers, does not carry goods at all, it is in fact an on site workshop. Do i require a PrDP

    • Hey Stephen
      I’m not 100% sure, I can understand why’d you say one shouldn’t, it’s not like your typical goods vehicle used for deliveries etc. however the act defines a goods vehicle as “a motor vehicle… designed or adapted for the conveyance of goods on a public road …” which is, I imagine the category your vehicle falls under, that grouped with the fact that you use it for commercial purposes.

      I think it’d be best to ask someone at your local traffic department to be sure though. I’d be very interested to hear the outcome if you do research it further.

  3. We have Hyundai bakkies that was re-registerded to carry 5 extra passengers, thats the driver included. We have a driver which is a foreman and then he has his 5 helpers. Do we need a pdp for this?

    • Hi Etienne, the extra passengers shouldn’t make a difference as you’ll still be under the 12 people limit. You may need a PrDP because your driver is effectively being paid to transport passengers. It would be best to phone up your local traffic department and check though.

  4. Hi, I was arrested for speeding in East London last year February, so does this mean I may never get a prdp?

    • Hi Ntsika, it depends, were you convicted of something?

      do not have a criminal record for (in the past five years):
      driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug having a narcotic effect
      driving a motor vehicle while the concentration of alcohol in your blood or breath exceeded a statutory limitation
      in the case of an application for a category P and D permit, an offence of which violence was an element.

      have never had your driving licence suspended
      have never been convicted of a criminal offence or paid an admission-of-guilt fine.

      • I have a negligent driving against my name 30 Years ago .

        Will this mean I can get prdp?

        • Hi Jannie

          The documentation I have isn’t very clear on this topic. I think you will be ok because it was so long ago, but best to check with the traffic department.

  5. Last I applied for goods and passengers but was allowed to drive goods only..how long must I wait before I can get to drive passengers

    • Hi Jonathon, did they give you a reason for not being given a passenger PrDP? You should be able to get it straight of the bat without any delays.

    • You shouldn’t as your vehicle is less than 3.5 tons, and you’re carrying less than 12 people

  8. Good day,

    I am looking at transporting people including school kidswith a costly 10 sweater Toyota quantum. The weight of the vehicle is 3200kg without a trailer.

    I have a code EB licence, is that sufficient to contact the above or do i need a different licence.Thank you,

    Steven Tiflin

    • Hey Steven,

      The 10 seater Quantum weighs 1,930 kg, but as you stated, the more important value is the GVM which is 3,150 kg. As such a B or EB licence is sufficient to drive this vehicle. A C or higher licence is only required if the vehicle’s GVM is in excess of 3,500 kg.

      Depending on the circumstances involved you may however need a PrDP. Especially because you are transporting school kids, it’s generally required from the perspective of the school’s insurance, and also if you are receiving any kind of remuneration for your driving of the vehicle you will require a PrDP licence.

      Hope this helps.

  9. Hi There

    I will studying to become a tour guide in the Western Cape.
    I do not intend on transporting more than 8 passengers at a time.

    If I need a PrDP is there a website where I can obtain the application forms ?

    Regards,
    Darren

    • Hey Darren

      If you’re going to be a tour guide, you will require a PrDP as you will be transporting people for reward, regardless of how many people are in the vehicle.

      You should be able to download forms from the ENATIS website, you will require both the Medical Certificate Application and Driving Permit Application forms.

  10. I am the owner of a Garden service I only carry 3 p3opl3 in my Tata Bakkie I also using a Trailer with my equipment I was stopped by A trafic officers and he said that if I use a trailer I need a PDP is that correct

    • As far as I know there is no legislation requiring you to have a PrDP if you are towing a trailer. Depending on the weight of the bakkie you may require a higher level driving licence, but shouldn’t require a PrDP.

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