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.
Hi ,I have a code 8 drivers licence and I want to run a meter taxi that carries less that 12 people do I need to have prdp
Yes
Why code B would need a PrDP when driving less than 12 people in a taxi.
Because you are transporting people for reward
Do I need a PrDP when driving a mini Quantum that carries 09 passengers having Code B, whatever answer I get I wish it can be explained so that I can be able to challenge my transport controller at worker or whoever is saying I cannot drive.
Yes you need a prdp. You are transporting people for reward
On a SA Drivers License Card, can a person with a Code B also have a PrDP displayed on the bottom right of the license card? Or does it only apply on a Code C and EC? If an S is displayed at Vehicle Restrictions, what does the S stand for?
A Code B licence can also have a PrDP on it.
Under vehicle restrictions, are you sure it’s an S? Not a 2, or a 3? It should be a number, not a letter.
Thank you. Is it possible to check the following license number to see if it is a valid drivers license?
Hi Suzette, you’ll have to check with your local traffic department.
i need help…I was arrested in 2011 for “willfully point a air revolver at a person ” can i apply for PDP for carrying goods and people?will i get it?
you should be able to get your PrDP
If I go withy family do I need PDP.
as long as you’re not being paid, and vehicle takes less than 12 people
Hi if i get a microbus for personal use.do i need a charter permit i have a pdp already.spoke to.a.guy and he mentioned that in 2016 u can even think of driving around with friends and family because traffic cops will inpound the vehicle.could someone please explain
What? Microbus seats less than 12. No need for prdp of you’re using for personal use
i have received a msg saying my finger print sent to saps for verification on 23 /12/2015 till now no reply how long does it take ..im doing prdp
usually only 6 weeks. phone the traffic department for more info.
Hi. I’ve been driving a bakkie under 3500kg for many years. I have a furniture business and use my bakkie to transport goods to my store daily (fridges/cupboards etc. ). A Policeman has recently been harassing me saying that I need a prdp to drive the van. They say the vehicle is being used for “rewards”. Do I need a prdp?
You are using the vehicle for reward, but you are not transporting people for reward, so as long as the vehicle is less than 3.5tons you shouldn’t require a PrDP
Hey Gareth,
thanks for this nice and informative website.
I’m a German citizen with a C1 E international driver license. Can I get a PrDP for SA? If yes, is the process for me different to the application of a SA citizen?
Thanks in advance
Sonja
Hi Sonja, it’s a bit unclear. To get a PrDP, you need to have a South African Licence. This you would not be able to do with your German licence.
I have just updated my post to include the following information which may be of interest.
I wud like to transport goods can i get a pdp
I know nothing about you. How would I know if you can get a prdp or not?
Which criminal records can stop me to get a prdp?
it’s in the post above
Our company has a function on and we need to get staff from the airport to the office there is no remuniration involved we are all colleagues and need a 14 seater do we need a PrDP for this
Yes, regardless of remuneration, the vehicle holds more than 12 people, thus PrDP is required.
Do I need code 10
Depends on the weight of the vehicle. If it is GVM > 3.5 tons, then yes.