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 have heard of schools where teachers are required to transport children on an official school function such as netball in their own cars. Is this leagal, do they need prpd and what are the legal ramifications should there be an accident?
Hey Eugene
If the teacher is required to transport the children as part of their duties, then they would need a PrDP as they are transporting people for reward. Schools in general are well aware of this and require their teachers to have a PrDP. I’m not sure what the legal ramifications are should their be an accident, technically they’re qualified to drive the vehicle, just not transport people in it. I think it could be come dangerous if injuries occur as a result of the accident.
Hi Gareth!I just found this page so informative and decided to ask a few questions.Do I need a dangerous goods certificate in order for me to get a pdrp if I’m holding a code EC driver’s licence?Which category can I apply for if need to qualify to transport both passengers and dangerous goods as a code Ec holder?Is it also a traffic offence to to drive on the public road without pdrp if I’m accompanied by a driver with a pdrp?Your information will be greatly appreciated!
Hi Chenje
I don’t quite understand your first question. You get three types of PrDP licences, one for passengers, one for goods and one for dangerous goods. If you get the dangerous goods licence, it includes the goods licence. To drive any goods vehicle over 3,500kg you require at least a goods PrDP licence.
If you want to transport both dangerous goods and people, when you apply for your PrDP licence you must select both the P and D box on the application form.
If you are driving a vehicle which requires you to hold a PrDP, you have to have a PrDP regardless of the status of your passenger. That is unless you are a learner driver, driving a goods vehicle. Then you are permitted to drive without a PrDP, assuming your driving instructor has a valid PrDP licence.
Also note the minimum age for a PrDP licence is 18 years for a goods licence, 21 for a passenger licence and 25 for a dangerous goods licence.
I drive a Ford Ranger plus a trailer with a GVM of 3200kg. which I use to cart rubbish and garden refuse from my home to the dump. Do I require a PDP?
Regardless of the weight of your trailer you shouldn’t need a PrDP as your vehicle’s GVM is under 3500kg.
You should note however that if your trailer has a GVM over 750kg you need at least a BC licence. Also note that depending on the braking system on the trailer there are extra requirements relating to the GVM of your trailer.
Thanks for the reply. I was stopped, and when I said the PrDP was not necessary I was arrested and charged with Crimen Injuria as I said it was bulls..t that I needed a PrDP. My trial is in June.
Good luck. The only concern I can imagine is if they consider you to now be driving a goods vehicle, due to the nature of work you were doing. I haven’t been able to find much information about the actual classification of a goods vehicle. It is becomes vague because if your vehicle is less than 3500kg then you shouldn’t need a PrDP regardless, unless they’re including your trailer weight.
Hi I’m in South Africa and I was arrested but they didn’t found me guilty,so I can’t get a PDP it over 10 years now?
Sorry, I’m not sure what you’re asking.
Hi Gareth.
In South Africa, is a pdp required for driving buses on private property.
Many thanks in advance
Hi Tony
Technically no licence of any kind is required for driving a vehicle on private property as far as I’m aware. But I doubt any insurance will cover you should anything go wrong. For that reason you’d need both a driver’s licence valid for that vehicle class and a PrDP.
Hi.
I drive a Hyundia goods bakkie with
with a GVM 2701 kg. I carry goods on it plus minus 800 to 900kg. always less then a ton. The above goods are food staff and not flammable liquid. Do I need a PDP
Licence.
As far as I’m aware you shouldn’t need a PrDP because your vehicle’s GDP is less than 3.5tons
I have got a code C1 ( old code 10) as well as prdp, My question is how do I get code C? Because from my own understanding there is no learnership for that class only code EC is available after code C1.Thanx for your help.
A code C1 allows you to drive vehicles up to 16tons. A code C allows you to drive vehicles in excess of 16 tons. If you want a code C licence, you will have to do a code 3 (heavy motor vehicles) learners licence. Once you have that you can do your driver’s licence for a C vehicle. The learner’s licence for a C licence is the same as for a C1, or an EC.
Hi there I have a Swiss driving license and iam Swiss can I get a PDP I dont have SA ID but married In SA
Hi Lufti
I’m not sure if you need a South African driver’s licence or not to get a PrDP. You might find it easier if you have an international driver’s licence, but rather check with your local traffic department. I’d be interested to hear if you could reply here when you have found out.
Regards
Hi
Wondering if you ever found out about this. I have the same problem, i have a Namibian license and looking to get a PrDP for SA. Thanks!
Hi Ali, I have learnt a bit more about this. In SA to drive a vehicle that requires a PrDP, you either need a valid licence from your country with your country’s equivalent of a PrDP, or you need an SA driver’s licence with a PrDP, but you can’t get a PrDP with an international licence.
Hi Gareth,
Thanks for your quick response! Perfect I’ll look into it! Much appreciated.
Regards,
Ali
Hi Gareth,
Thank for your website, learned a lot from it.
I got 1 question regarding PDP. I got a normal car license with no PDP.
I am exploring a ‘new’ avenue for business that will require a PDP for dangerous goods transport. I am going to start of with only a bakkie under 3500 gwm. I will at a later stage ad a trailer to the mix.
To add the trailer I will have do redo my licnese to a code 10 or higher license. Now my question if I do PDP with my normal license, will I have to redo the PDP if I ‘upgrade’ my license, or is the pdp transferable to a higher level licence?
Kind Regards
Hi Riaan
Sorry, I’m actually not sure. I can’t see any reason why you’d have to reapply. But on the PrDP application form, there is a section where your current licence code has to be input. I advise giving the traffic department a call. Let me know if you find out.
G
Hi, I have a creche and school aftercare centre. I am charging parents a standard after care rate, Irrespective if they bring the children to the centre, if the kidz walk or if I go and pick em up. Me picking them up is kind of like a free private service to kids in the after care. Did I falsely convince myself that I dont need a PDP?
Hi Peter
Yeah, I’m afraid I think you have. While in theory they way you state your situation makes it sound like you shouldn’t need one, it’s probably safest if you do. While you aren’t directly being paid to pickup these kids, you are pretty much offering them this service as part of the creche, whether you actively advertise it that way or not.