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 there, I provide home-based individul therapy for children. For some kids, I collect them from school and then take them home for therapy. The lifting is part of therapy hours and therefore the time is paid for but no petrol or additional fees are charged for lifting. Occasionally we take a few of the kids on outings, no more than 3 at a time, petrol is not charged in these cases either, just therapy time, which transport falls within.
Do I need a special licence?
Hope you can advise..
Hi Michelle
Technically I would say you do require a PrDP. Although not being paid directly to transport the children, you are transporting the children as part of the service you offer and are being paid for. Whether you’ll actually ever have issues with the police with regards to this is debatable.
You can always try contacting your local traffic deparment, but your situation is a bit of a grey area.
do i need a pdp to drive a hearse
I don’t think you do. As long as it’s less than 3.5tons GVM you shouldn’t have any issues
Hi Gareth
i’m planning to buy a Hyundai H1 (9 seater) but i will use it for my family and i. But it is also possible that i will carry some other faminly members when we go out, but the vehicle will not be used to remuneration purposes. Do you think i will need a Prdp. I have a EB licence.
Thanx
Hi Joe
Legally you will not be required to have a PrDP as it seats less than 9 people, and you’re not being paid for the service.
Hi Gareth
Thank you for the reply it’s most appreciated. Do you have any sugesstions on how to get a marraige license. I’m a pastor at a branch of our church and i need to get a marraige license. Do you know what the process is?
Hi Joe. I’m afraid I know little to nothing about marriage licences. I advise asking a colleague of yours, I’m sure they’d be able to help.
I am a farmer and have a farm vehicle less than 3.5t I use it to carry tomatoes to town with 2 labour and was pulled over by police and told that I need a pdp.Do I need one or not?
Thanks
Does it weigh less than 3.5t, or is it’s GVM less than 3.5 tons? Also what vehicle is it?
Hey I have applied for a prdp this month n my licence is expiring this month would there be a problem? Please help
According to the City of Cape Town Traffic Department:
Hi, I will be hiring a Mercedes sprinter 23 seater to use on holiday with my family. We will be 11 people including the driver (me) do I need a prdp?
Yes, because the vehicle is able to seat 23 people, you will require a PrDP
In 2011 I was charged of selling liquor without a licence.so now I wish to know if I can get PDP.
Were you convicted or just charged? Either way you should be able to get one.
There are many Zimbabween drivers applying for work in SA at present. How does their PrDP works as it do not show on their drivers card.
Regards
If they have a Zimbabwean driver’s licence, they also need a Zimbabwean Defensive Driving Certificate, according to this website:
They are not allowed to drive vehicles requiring a PrDP in SA without this licence. Alternatively they need to get an SA driver’s licence and then apply for the PrDP.
I done volutering work at a SAVF I drive a caddy. Sometimes they ask me to pick up 5 old people to take to the club do I need a PDP licence. Please answered urgent because they wont me to this tomorrow Thanks.
If you’re not being paid to do it, you shouldn’t need a PrDP licence.
I have c1 licence so i want to do Pdp so i wanted to know if my application cn b approved since i got a traffic fine?
Thank you
Hi Thabo, a traffic fine for what?
Hi.
If i have a PDP on my code 14 licence, do i need to apply for another one for my code 8 license?
No you don’t. You also shouldn’t have two separate licences. Your code 14 with PrDP covers all vehicles.