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 will be travelling with 10 of my family members, do we require a PrDP
No, you should not need a PrDP, as long as you are not being paid to drive. If you are asked for a PrDP make sure to tell them it is yoru family and you are not being remunerated in any way.
It also depends what vehicle you are driving. If the vehicle is designed to transport 12 or more people you WILL require a PrDP.
Hi I won’t 2 no can I get n pdp if I have n drink ndriving. But my case where perspond 3 years ago. Pls help
What do you mean your case was postponed? Are you still waiting for your trial?
nou they told me the case is fenised. but it can stand up again but it was 3years ago can that be n probleme
Hi Randall
What do you mean it was fenised? What does that mean? Were you convicted of a crime, or did you plead guilty to the crime?
I was not convicted of the case
If you were not convicted and did not plead guilty then you should not have any problem applying for a prdp
Hi.
Our primary school asked me to transport children from Witbank to Balmoral on a daily basis. The mini bus I’m suppose to drive weighs more than 3500 kg, but I only have a code B license. Can I apply for a PDP or do I have to re-do my license to be able to drive the mini bus.
If the bus is over 3.5tons you will need to do your code C1 licence and then in addition to that you need your PrDP because you are transporting people
Hi m south Africa , I was arrested in 2010 n I was out on discharge , I want to know if I would apply for prdp will there be any problem ?
What do you mean you were out on discharge? We’re you convicted? What happened to the case?
Hi Gareth,
My friends’s Pdp has expired and he applied for renewal 2 weeks ago.
What are the chances that he could get a Temporary PDP in the meantime?
Thanks
Appollis
Hi Appollis, I’m not 100% sure but once you’ve applied and handed in the necessary documents I don’t see why they wouldn’t issue a temporary licence, like when applying for a normal licence.
Hi there
I’m purchasing a vehicle that weighs 2.5 tons and can accommodate a total of 6 passengers. I have a code B licence. From time to time a assist friends with a lift clud to take kiddies to and from school will i require a PDP licence and what does a PDP licence entail, do I need to redo my licence or is it merely an additional add on with a payment.
Thank you
A PrDP is merely an additional payment, medical and police clearance. However, your vehicle is less than 2.5 tons GMV, less than 11 passengers, and you are not being paid for the service, so you will not require a PrDP.
I was working in a liquor where there was no licence,police came and take me.I can out at police station a day after,they find me guilty a came out with a fine of R500.now am asking if I can get a PrDP?
What crime were you found guilty of and how long ago was it?
hi i had theft criminal offend 6 years ago ,on that case do i manage to get PDP or i will not get it at all? As long it is criminal record?
What was the crime for? But I believe that as long as it was more than 5 years ago you can still get PrDP
Hi Gareth
I would like to know why the police report is taking so long when you apply for PrDP? Especially when you have a criminal record? Thank you.
Hi vuyo. Sorry I don’t know what all the police get up to when processing criminal record checks.
Hi there I won’t 2 nou way r they taking so long with my pdp card coz I am still waithing 4 it and it was 3mounths ago n I went in then they just say I must stil wait n I won’t 2 nou can they. Tell me if they r not. Going 2 give me pdp wil they tel me so
Hi Dekin
I am in no way linked with the traffic deparment, I can’t say why they’re taking so long, it is supposed to be supplied within 6 weeks of application.