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:
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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.
I am in possession of a PrDP. I’m transporting kids to and from my day care center and school kids as well. There’s only 6-9kids in my vehicle at a time. I’m driving a 7 seat Toyota Previa. I’m only transporting 9 school kids all at different times. Do I need another permit for this. I’m told that I need a yellow sticker and Conveyancer of Learners sticker on my vehicle which is obtainable from another department and not at the traffic department. My vehicle has recently gone through a road worthy test as well.
Kind regards
Hi Deborah, if you’re transporting people for reward you require a PrDP, which you state you already have. There’s no national law governing permits for transporting learners that I’m aware of. Some municipalities seem to have certain by-laws governing transport within their areas, but as far as I can tell this is only for people who are transporting learners on behalf of the department of education.
Who is paying for your service, and what area are you operating in?
The best option would be to discuss this with whoever told you this to get more information.
Hi Gareth
Thank you for your reply. The 3kids attending my aftercare are not paying, but the rest are. Children attending my day care center also pay me for my service. This is however not my day job. I do not do transport on behalf of the department. I am operating in the Strand and Gordon’s Bay area Cape Town.
Hi Deborah, I haven’t been able to find any info on the “Conveyer of Learners”, nothing in the Cape Town Unicity. If you’re operating in a private capacity, I can’t imagine you need anything more than a PrDP, but as mentioned, try find out more from the person who told you about this in the first place.
Thank you kindly. Much appreciated.
Hie. Im a first time offender and was convicted of theft. My question is wil i be able to get a temporal pdp while i wait for the disc because i have applied alredy and this is a second time to apply for the pdp since conviction because the old one has just expired
Once approved, you should be able to receive a temporary licence while the card is printed.
Hey i want to know how long i must wait for pdp ,because i apply last year december and i did not receive it yet
Check with your traffic department. Shouldn’t take more than 6 weeks.
Thank you very much Gareth
Hi There,
I’m curious, can you apply for PDP using the forms you can download off the internet? I’m an international with a British driving license but because I plan on guiding I need the South Africa drivers to then get PDP – Nightmare!
Do you have to have both the medical certificate form (and have completed) as well as police clearance to be able to make the application? I’m taking the practical drivers test in 2 weeks and want to apply on the same day (provided I pass!) for my PDP but the police clearance takes about 4 weeks apparently. The medical part is simple. I’m just a little confused as to what happens when.
Any info would be great!
Thanks! :)
Hey Phillipa. Check out the full process here. But basically, take your medical certificate and all documents with you. Only after you apply do they give you the correct forms for the police clearance.
Thanks – some clarity!!
So silly you can’t convert foreign drivers anymore…
Hi phillipa, you should be able to covert your licence, just reliant on several factors – more info here
Ah, great news. Thank you!
Just one more thing, I’ve heard the PDP requires specifically colour passport photos, is this true or will black and white do?
Thanks so much for your help, really helpful to find someone who can offer reliable information who’s been through it.
Hi Pip
According to this website, black and white photos are fine.
Hello Gareth
We are in the Agricultural Business, and we have representatives that sometimes transport employees with their bakkies to auctions, is it necessary for these drivers to obtain PrDP’s?
Hi Phillip, if your representatives are employed, and part of their duty as an employee is to transport those other employees, then yes they do require PrDPs as they are transporting people for reward.
Hi gareth
I was arrestd in 2012 in june as first offender for theft in a shop and charged fine for admission of guilty and never went to jail so as from now I don’t have any convictions since then do I realy qualify for prdp? Is that case relevant to driving?
So confused ppliz clarify for me
Thanks
Hi Leon
Read more about convictions and there application to a PrDP here. But if you were only convicted for theft, and not of a driving related offence or of an assault charge, you will most likely still be granted your PrDP.
Hi, is the driving license for the tractor still exist ? if yes how to get one?
Hi Eddie
If you are talking about to just drive it on the road, then no. If the tractor is registered it will fall into a specific category, most likely a code C1 licence will be sufficient.
If you mean in the same sense as that you need a Hyster/Forklift licence, then I’m not sure, but would probably depend on the company you’re working for.
Would you know an office without long queues where I can apply for my PDP?
sorry, generally small towns are the only places with short queues ;)
Hi Garreth,
Thanks for the info. One more, can I apply for my PDP at any Licensing office?
Hi Cobus, at any traffic department that does drivers licences.
hi I just turned 21 on the 18th January so is it possible to apply for EC driving permit so that I can drive trucks
yes you can. You only need to be 18 to get your EC licence