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.
Hi. I have previously been issued – 3 times + once when I was mugged and had my wallet with license stolen – with one card, with both my allowed classes of Drivers’ License issued simultaneously. I am currently incensed that apparently my motor cycle license (A), will not be issued simultaneously with my motor vehicle license (EB). I was told by a cheeky clerk that each has to be issued separately since they are different licenses. WHAT UTTER RUBBISH. Basically I have the licenses to drive both classes of vehicle and should be given one card that shows all classes of vehicle that I may drive. Any alternative arrangement is open to fraud and any alternate arrangement is purely for the sake of ripping off the public. Fact is, each renewal of the licenses is only an affirmation that my eyesight is acceptable for anyone driving a vehicle and confirmation – by doing an eye test – that I am not in need of further visual aid than the condition that I took the eye test in, i.e., with my spectacles on. And I contend that one eye test every 5 years is adequate for all licenses and that they should thus all be issued on one card. What does the constitution say on this? And is there call for some sort of class-action should it be felt by many people that they are being ripped off to have to pay for 2 or more vehicle licenses every 5 years?
Hey Bruce unless something has changed both licences should be printed on one licence card. If this has not happened try speaking to a manager at the traffic department.
I doubt the constitution says anything about this and am quite sure you won’t get far with any class-action. If you really feel wronged speak to management at the traffic department else you might be able to get something right in small claims court.
Thanks Gareth! Will comment if it comes back with only one!
Hi Gareth.
Is it possible to apply for/write a learners licence for a motorcycle (code 1) and a learners licence for a car (code 2) on the same day?
Thanks
Hey WP, I believe you can write both at the same time yes.
At what age can I apply for my code 10 learners licence
When you’re 18
How much does it cost to write a learners test?
It differs from province to province and changes with time, I don’t keep track.
Hi there
we have a Zimbabwean lady working for us and we would like her to apply for her learners in order to obtain her drivers licence, could you please direct me as to what we need to do. She has a work permit as well as a valid passport.
thank you
Melissa
Hi Melissa
She’ll first need to apply for a traffic register. For this she’ll require her passport and I believe proof of residence. With this she’ll be able to apply for a south African learners and drivers as per normal.
Is it possible to apply for appointment for learners for code a to another testing station if u have another date waiting for u at other testing station for code 14?
That shouldn’t be a problem
Oh ok thanx a lot
Hi Gareth,
i need to go for my EC license and i have no idea how or where to go.
can you please help.
Hi Chris. Go to your local traffic department and book a date to write your code 3 leaners. Once you have that you can book for your drivers.
Each application will require certain photos and fees which you can check by phoning your local department. I further advise going for a few lessons before doing your practical so you know what is required.
Thank you, i will go do that.
I have a code 8 and want to get a code 10, how do I go about getting it? Will I need to write the code 10 learner’s test then test for code 10? If I fail my code 10 will my code 8 get taken away?
You need to write your learner’s again for HMV, then do your code 10 test. If you fail it will not affect your code 8.
Hi,
I have a EB. Im interested in buying a Dyna 3.5 ton truck, will there been any problems with my EB.
T
Hi Tony, with an EB you can only drive a truck/vehicle with GVM up to and including 3.5 tons. So it depends what exactly the GVM of the Dyna 3.5 ton truck is.
Hello Gareth
Im a south african living in Germany for the past 6yrs now,my lincence was gültig bis 21october 2010. Is it possible To still renew it???? And if yes what do they need Form me….
Thankx
Hey Fikile,
Yes you can renew it, it doesn’t matter when it expires. If you’re still in Germany I don’t know if someone else can apply for you, but you just fill in a standard application form at the traffic department. Hope you’ve had a good time in Germany ;)
Thankx a lot man …
Plz help again. ..as i said b4 im living here 4 six yrs now but official 1year 2 months now, so if i get my new licence can i convert it to german one? ???cos in most Internet side says only for 6-12months. Und since it will also show tht i hv Not stay in s.a for 185days. … or do i hv to do the whole thing again theory und praxis ????
any advices plz…….
Hey Fikile, I have no idea how the German side of things work. In South Africa you can only drive with a foreign driver’s licence for 6 months before you are required to get a South African driver’s licence, either by doing a conversion or redoing the test locally.
I assume the German system will have something similar, but I don’t know.