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. i waz arrested before and charged guilty for stolen property so is dat effective we me getting pdp licence ?

    • Hi Mukovhe, were you convicted of the crime?

      According to the regulation, you may only get a PrDP if you “have never been convicted of a criminal offence or paid an admission-of-guilt fine.”

      As always, it’s best to contact your local traffic department to double check the law.

  2. which mean i dnt have to apply for it if i have paid an admission fine and i wont get a prdp again in my hole life

    • Hi Mukovhe

      I’m sorry I don’t completely understand what you’re asking.
      If you were convicted, the law says you won’t be able to get a PrDP licence. But speak to someone at the Traffic Department to completely understand the limitations.

  3. Hi. I use a KIA K2700 to transport goods. The GVM is 2900kg. I know I don’t need PDP for that but sometimes im pulling a trailer of GVM 750kg. So in total its 3650kg. Do I need a PDP?

    • Hi Mohammad

      You shouldn’t need a PrDP for this, as it applies specifically to the vehicle you are driving for which you are covered.

      Regards

      Gareth

  4. Hi Gareth.I went through the people’s comments &/ questions and your answers &/ advices.I learnt a lot I must say.But I need lit bit of clarity on the following two questions:
    1.I am the code 08 license holder,can I get the PrDP?
    2.And if I get it,can I drive a 15 seater Quantum full with passengers on public roads???

    • Ok. First thing’s first. If we look purely at what this post is about (PrDP) then yes you definitely need a PrDP, and with this you will be allowed to drive with 15 passengers. Also regardless of what licence you have, you can get a PrDP
      The more important thing to investigate is what your licence allows you to drive. You have a Code 8, which I believe is a modern day EB licence (check your licence to make sure). This means you can drive a vehicle that has a GVM of up to 3500kg, and can tow anything that your vehicle is allowed to tow.
      I couldn’t find a 15 seater Quantum on Toyota’s website, but if we have a look through their models, the biggest Quantum has a GVM of about 3250kg. This is less than the maximum for your licence, which means you can drive it with your current licence.

      So if you get your PrDP you will be allowed to drive a 15 seater Quantum full with passengers on public roads.

  5. How often does the PDP need to be renewed. (No of years interval)

    I want to buy a MB Sprinter for leisure use. Tow or load my motorbikes. Camp and sleep within.
    The GVM is rated at 3550kg. Can one not get the GVM rated to say 3400kg and then just make sure you never exceed that with loading and then you do not need the PDP

    • The PrDP needs to be renewed every two years. I have heard of cases where one goes to court and gets special permission to be granted a 5 year licence, but I’ve never seen this done in practice. 2 years is the norm.

      As for getting the GVM lowered, this is unlikely, but possibly something you could do, don’t think it will be that easy.

      However, yes your vehicle is over 3.5 tons, but that doesn’t necessarily require a PrDP, as it’s not really a Goods Vehicle. You may get asked about this on a regular basis when getting pulled over, but you won’t be using it as a goods vehicle. Assuming you don’t have 12 seats in the vehicle you also won’t be transporting enough people to warrant a PrDP.

      You’ll just need to confirm with the traffic department that the Sprinter can be regarded as a non-Goods Vehicle and you should be fine with just a code 10 (new C licence) or higher.

  6. Dear Gareth

    I am a young fellow who just love reading and knowing general info. I do not have a license yet but intend on getting it soon.

    I read through the questions and responses within this section of your site.

    I believe to have learned a lot, thank you for that.

    I have earnest request for information about:
    •Types of driving licenses.
    •Who qualifies for such licenses.

    I’d also like to know if there is a difference between “License” and “PrDP”, how do they differ.

    Lastly, can i have(be a holder/owner of) all licenses at once?

    Thank you very much for your time.

    Have a good day.

  7. Pingback: Driving Licence system in South Africa | Fiddlings

  8. We got endless problems with traffic cop insist we need PDP. Our operators are driving Mobile Cranes with EC licence Code 14. We do not carry goods or passengers. The cranes are abnormal in weight.

    • The difficulty comes in with what is defined as a goods vehicle. Out of interest, do you appeal if you get a fine, what is the outcome?

  9. Hi Gareth,
    What happens if it’s a lift club for kids in a regular vehicle? There are 3 kids and a driver and the parents club together to cover the cost of the petrol only?
    (No one is getting paid except the Petrol Stations)

    • Hi Janine

      I don’t believe there’d be any issue here. As you say, you get money to cover costs, but none of you are being paid to drive the kids to school.

      Regards

      Gareth

  10. We are using a Quantum Toyota bus who can carry more than 12 persons, but for our use we usually are not more than 6-8 persons on the bus.
    Then we can also use the smaller Toyota bus who can only carry 10 persons, but in both we never exceed the 8 persons.
    Do I need a PrDP license in this case?
    O yes, both these buses are branded.

    Will you please be of help.

    Thanks

    • Hi Rev. Dirk

      For the 12 seater quantum you definitely need a PrDP. The licence is required for anyone driving a vehicle licenced/capable of transporting 12 or more passengers. Whether there are passengers in the vehicle or not.
      As for the 10 seater, it depends who and why you’re transporting those passengers. If it’s part of your job to do this and it could be construed that you are driving them for reward you may need to get a PrDP.

      Hope this helps.

      Gareth

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