The driving licence system in South African went through an overhaul in 1998 from the old system to the new system. While there have been tweaks to the system over the years, for the majority it’s stayed the same. Here’s a quick summary of the current system, with equivalent codes from the old system.
When the new system was implemented, everyone who had an old licence of the form Code 8, Code 12 etc. was given an equivalent licence in the new letter format, eg. B, EC etc. To this day people still often refer to having a code 12 licence, although the system is not used in practice.
Learner’s Licence
There are three main categories of licences. Light Motor Vehicles, Heavy Motor Vehicles and Motor Cycles. Before you can get either one of these licences, you must first write a learner’s licence exam. This is a 1 hour theory exam, to test your knowledge of the rules of the road. There are three different learner’s licences available, each one applying to a different vehicle class. These licences are:
Code 1: Motorcycles
Code 2: Light Motor Vehicles
Code 3: Heavy Motor Vehicles
A Heavy motor vehicle is considered any vehicle with a GVM over 3,500kg (3.5 tons), and a light motor vehicle anything below. There was talk 2 years ago about combining learners licences so as not to require people who already have a licence to rewrite their learner’s licence, but this was never passed. Currently a Learner’s Licence is valid for 2 years. Once you have a learner’s licence for a vehicle, you are free to drive that vehicle as long as there is a driver licenced for that vehicle in the passenger seat with you. You may drive on freeways, and have additional passengers. If you want to get your Driver’s Licence, you must apply so that your test occurs before your learner’s licence expires. If you have a learner’s licence for a motorcycle, you may drive by yourself (I’ve also heard you’re not allowed passengers, unsure).
You may only apply for a Code 2 Learner’s Licence if you are over the age of 17. For a Code 1 licence you may apply when you are 16 (limited to 125cc). I have heard that you must be 18 before applying for a Code 3 learner’s licence.
Driver’s Licence
For motorcycles there are two licences available. An A, and a A1 licence. An A1 licence you may hold from the age of 17, and is limited to motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125cc or less. You may only get an A licence once you turn 18, and permits you to drive any motorcycle.
Light motor vehicles have two classes. Either a B (old code 7) or an EB (old code 8). The B licence is the standard driver’s licence that most people get. It allows you to drive any Light Motor Vehicle and tow a trailer with a GVM less than 750kg. An EB licence is for the same class of vehicles, but allows you to tow trailers in excess of GVM 750kg. Most people who did their driver’s licence before 1998 were automatically upgraded to an EB licence, whereas most new drivers have only a B licence. This limits one from towing certain caravans and boats which can have GVMs higher than 750kg. You must be 18 years old before you take the test for an LMV licence.
Heavy Motor vehicles have four classes. A code C1 (former code 10) which is for vehicles with a GVM between 3.5 and 16 tons and a code C which is for vehicles with a GVM over 16 tons. Drivers with a code C1 licence are permitted to drive vehicles of class B. Drivers with a code C may drive vehicles covered by both the C1 and B codes.
A code EC1 licence holds the same rights as a C1 licence, but with the inclusion of trailers with a GVM in excess of 750 kg. Likewise an EC licence permits the driver to drive vehicles covered by a C licence with a trailer of GVM in excess of 750kg. The holder of an EC licence, in addition to vehicles covered by a C licence, may also drive EC1 vehicles.
In 2010 reports were issued that drivers who obtained a Heavy Duty Vehicle Licence after January 2011 would not be permitted to drive light motor vehicles. This law was never passed.
To obtain a driver’s licence, you must hold the appropriate learner’s licence and do a practical test for driving that vehicle. The test comprises of a yard test (inclined start and alley docking. Additional three point turn and parallel parking for LMV and additional straight reverse for HMVs). As well as an on the road test, generally along preset routes in general traffic. For each of these you must follow practices specified by the K53 defensive driving system, which has many critics. It is advised that anyone attempting to pass a driving test in South Africa first go for driving lessons with an accredited driving school.
A South African Driver’s Licence must be renewed every 5 years.
SA Driver’s Licence
Rear and Front
Professional Driver’s Licence
Anyone who wants to drive a motor vehicle for reward (taxi, deliveryman etc.) or anyone driving a Goods Vehicle, or Vehicle able to transport more than 11 people must hold a Professional Driver’s Permit. See my article here for more information. A standard PrDP licence is valid for 2 years.
Other things to note
It is possible to hold a licence which is valid for both an LMV or HMV as well as a motorcycle. You will be issued with one card which displays the separate restrictions, dates etc. for each.
Whatever vehicle you do your licence in will be the vehicle that you are given a licence for. If you drive an automatic vehicle, you will not be permitted to drive manual vehicles.
Whenever you renew your driver’s licence you will be required to do an eye test, this test will dictate whether you are required to drive a vehicle with or without glasses.
A South African Driver’s licence is in the shape of a credit card. Pre-1998, driver’s licences were included in your ID book.
Go here to view a table comparing the old and the current driver’s licence codes.
Most of the information here I posted from memory. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, if uncertain, please contact your local Traffic Department for assistance.
Source: General Knowledge and the National Road Traffic Act.
I have the old green ID book. I have been in Australia so have not been able to get the “credit card ” licence. I believe that I can have my drivers licences confirmed by letter. Sent a letter to relevant department but no reply. Any suggestions?
Hey Jeremy. 90% of SA doesn’t have the new ‘credit card’ licences, so don’t worry about that.
What do you need to do? What do you mean by having your driver’s licence confirmed?
Hi Gareth,
It appears that Queensland is accepting RSA licences now but you are required to obtain proof that your RSA licence is still valid. Showing them the old ID book is not acceptable. I have written to Pretoria months ago requesting a confirmation of my licence letter but have yet to receive a reply.
Are local RSA licensing offices unable to confirm in writing since I would imagine that they have access to the licensing database? I have contacts in East London but not Pretoria.
Thanks.
Hi Jeremy
Ok, I understand your problem. I think your best option is to get a family member to go to the traffic department (whether in East London or anywhere else), perhaps with a copy of your ID, to see if they can get some kind of proof of licence. It should all be in the eNATIS database, but whether they’re willing to release this information without you there or not is a different question. They can do a printout of your information for about R20 if I recall correctly.
Sadly I don’t think you’ll have much luck with e-mail.
Hi can I tow a caravan with a learners license Ec1 ?
Yes you can, as long as you have a driver licenced for that type of vehicle with you in the car when you’re driving.
Thanks , that will help me .
Hi Just want to confirm if one can still go for a car driving test on your own or is it compulsary to go through a driving school.
Hi Joe, there is no need to go through a driving school. But it is advised to go for one or two lessons. Regardless of whether you can drive or not, having a lesson at least gives you an indication of how you’re going to be tested.
My licence has a vehicle restriction because I used an automatic vehicle to do my test. I have enquired what I need to be able to drive a manual vehicle but they say i must redo everything so basically do redo learners license again. As it is for the same type of vehicle is this really necessary as I did the K53 learners test before obtaining my license, cant i just redo the test on a manual car or can I apply for a heavy vechicle and still be able to drive a manual car? Will I have two licences then?
oops i didnt see this question was already answered further up.
As mentioned you have to redo your learners and drivers licence. But like you said you can instead do a heavy motor vehicle licence in a manual which will then allow you to drive a normal car as well.
Good day.
Please correct me if I’m wrong on the following statement.
“If I have an EC License I will be able to drive a light motor vehicle and tow in excess of 3500 kg”
Thank you
Regards
Weyers
Hi weyers, with an EC licence you can drive and tow any combination of vehicles as long as the individual vehicles towing limits are not exceeded and you have the necessary PrDP if applicable.
Hi,
I need to figure out the correct way to get somebody from a automatic restricted driver to an manual driver. Does she need to re-apply for her learners, even though she has been driving for more than a decade?
Unfortunately yes. She’ll have to redo her learner’s and driver’s licences.
What do you need to have a traffic register if you are a foreigner for instance
I believe your passport and a proof of residence
Until what age can one keep renewing one’s driving license and are there additional tests after a certain age eg 85
There are no limits to renewing your licence nor additional tests after a certain age. As long as you can pass the eye test you can renew your licence. Only limitation is if advised by a medical practitioner that you should no longer be driving
Hi
I have a EC1 drivers licence. I will be going to the UK to Live later this year. I hold a British passport thru descent for may years now. My Question:
1. Can I convert to a UK licence ,But as a B or EB in the Uk? They don’t allow a direct conversion to the UK EC1. I have no need for a EC1 any more OR
2. When I renew my SA licence here later this year before I leave , can I Request the Randburg Licence Dept to “downgrade” me to a B or EB? Then I can convert overseas.
Hey
I don’t know ow the rules for the British licences. The EC1 obviously includes an EB but I don’t know if you will be able to convince the British authorities of this.
Alternatively, as you suggested, you should be able to downgrade your licence to an EB
Hi I went to the licencing department today. Rude nt friendly. They dnt gve u time to prepare or gt used to the leavers.they marked the wrong code. They make a joke abt the code amongst themselves. When.I query the lady tells me y are u getting angry u can write code 10 learners and apply code 8. Licence. Kindly advice agen
Hi Sharon, if you pass a code 2 or code 3 learners (for Heavy or light Motor vehicles), you can take a driver’s test for any car or truck.