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?”

  3. Hi Gareth, I work for a Audio Visual hiring company. We transport our equipment to venues for events. We only use vehicles under 3500kg GVM. I would also have a person driving with me. I am a sound Technician, and that’s my job description. I just drive the vehicle to get the stuff there. Do I need a prdp licence?

    • Hi Kurt. Because your vehicle’s are less than 3500kg GVM you should not require a PrDP for driving a goods vehicle.

      • Hi Gareth, thanks for your response. So, even if the driving is then part of my work, and I get paid a salary, I don’t need a PrDP?

        Regards
        kurt

        • Gareth I would also just like to add that the company does charge the client a Transport fee to get the equipment to the venue.

          Kurt

          • Hey Kurt
            You’re not being paid to transport people, and your vehicle is less than 3500kg, you shouldn’t need a PrDP.

  4. Hi Gareth
    I am 19 turning 20 this year, my friends and I want to hire a quantum 10 seater during the holidays for a roadtrip. I have a code 8 licence do I need to apply for PdP?

    • Hey S’nalo

      As long as it’s just you and a bunch of friends you don’t need a PrDP. If you’re getting paid to drive though, then you would. Also if you were driving the 12 seater you would also require one.

      Regards

  5. Good evening. I would like to apply for my prdp, I have a clean code 8 record but was arrested , 5 going on six years ago for a very small amount of marijuana.
    I paid a small fine and admission of guilt.
    Since then I’ve had no other offences of issues with law.
    Can I still get a prdp?

    Kind regards

    • Hi Scott

      The act states that you can’t get a PrDP if you have been convicted of a criminal offence or paid an admission-of-guilt fine.

      I don’t know what all this entails, for example people who have paid admission of guilt fines for speeding are still able to get a PrDP.

      Unfortunately I’m not too clear on the subject, so I’d advise you contact your local traffic department for more details.

  6. Hi. I do have a challenge, I do have a C1 south africa licence and a zimbabwean class 2.Recently I went to licence dept to apply for a PDp and was told that I do not qualify for a pdp with a traffic register. Now we run a creche from church whereby I need to pick up kids. Can u advice?

    • Hi Pastor J,

      I’m afraid I don’t fully understand. What reason did they give you that you can’t get a PrDP?

  7. Hey! I have being arrested and found NOT GUILTY may I be able to get PrDP

    2.I was given a ticket last year and I didn’t pay for that ticket , can I be able to get PrDP

  8. I”ve applied for prdp about 2weeks ago,en I got the sms frm afswitch,stating that it has been forwaded to the testing station for review,so I dnt knw what to do from now because the officials at traffic were unfriendly they didn’t tell me what to do after getting an sms.

    • Sorry siya, I don’t know what to say. Your best option is to phone the Traffic Department to find out.

  9. I would like to know if you need a pdp when there is 5 colleagues travelling to a workshop in a ford bantam bakkie?

    • As long as no one is getting paid to do the transporting it shouldn’t be an issue, ie. a lift club type thing.

  10. how do i get a PDP and do i have to get one when i hv a zimbabwean drivers license

    • Hi Samuel.

      You cannot get a PrDP with a Zimbabwean licence. However you can get an equivalent Zimbabwean equivalent which would entitle you to drive heavy motor vehicles in SA. Or you can get a South African licence and PrDP.
      As for working for a South African company, I’m not sure what the current laws are relating to foreigners working in SA.

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