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 Garreth I have a code 10 license and I have booked a test drive for code 14 and my testing date is friday the 13nt of march… but iam afraid I have just lost my ID yesterday I have only certified copies of it…my quetion is will it be possible for me to do my test drive friday even though my ID is Lost…because I do have a code 10 license card….
Hi Xolisa, I’m not sure of the exact process, generally you do need your ID, but in your circumstances I’m sure they can make a plan.
Have you signed an affidavit at the police station declaring that your ID has been stolen? I’m sure if you take that, with a copy of your ID licence and your old Driver’s licence with you to the traffic department they would be understanding. It is however best to give your local traffic department a call to confirm.
Hi Gareth
I wrote my learners on Monday the 09-03 and I got it, I booked my licence the same day and I;m going for my licence tomorrow the 12-03 in langlagte. I’m doing a code 10/C1 , I plan to own a caravan some day and it seems appropriate. I have never driven a truck before and i wanted to know If anyone has ever passed the first time they’ve attempted driving a truck. I’m insanely nervous but I can drive a car with ease, have been for about 10 years. I hope the instructor is not a power maniac. i heard they can be quite intimidating,
Hey Shahida, my biggest concern is that with a C1 licence, you will only be able to tow a caravan up to 750kg, although your vehicle could weigh up to 16 tons.
The test itself may not be that difficult, regardless of driving ability, but the biggest issue is to know how to pass the test, with regards to movements, where to look when, when to indicate etc. It’s important that it’s done in the correct order. You may remember from the first time you got your licence.
So no, it’s not impossible to get first time, just make sure you know the rules.
Good luck.
I have fail my eye test while making my pdp.am I going to be demoted to code 08…I’m currently having code 10
Hi Ben
Generally they only do that when you renew your normal licence, because I assume they won’t give you a PrDP now if you fail your eye test. Do you wear glasses>
Hi Gareth. I Booked for a code 8learners, bt i havent written it yet I am writting next week on the 20th, bt I dont want a code 8 anymore, is it possible i change it to code10??
Hi Latoya, generally you can’t, but phone before hand to check with your local traffic department.
Hallo Gareth
Ek het ‘n kode B lisensie. Wil graag karavaan sleep.
Ek het die voertuig – moet nog die karavaan aanskaf, maar moet nou die Kode EB lisensie kry.
Ek het automaties voertuig. Ek sien uit die vorige kommunikasies – dis beter om met ‘n “manual” voertuig te gaan vir die toets? Is dit korrek? Dan is daar geen “restrictions”?
Die ander opsie is om vir die EC1 te gaan, maar ek verstaan dan sal ek weer die teorie toets moet afle?
Wat sal jy aanbeveel?
Kan jy moontlik ‘n ryskool in Johannesburg – Randburg/Roodepoort aanbeveel?
Groete,
Cliff
Hey Cliff
If you can drive a manual, then it is better to do it in a manual, otherwise you’ll be restricted to an automatic licence.
If you don’t currently have a learner’s licence, then regardless of if you want to do your EB or EC1, you will still have to redo your learner’s licence.
Doing your EB will be cheaper, as you don’t need to hire a vehicle, EC1 obviously has the advantage that you can drive larger trucks in the future should you want to, you also will not be required to do a parallel park, where as with an EB licence you will still have to.
Unfortunately I don’t know any driving schools in Joburg, but you can checkout this website.
Morning Gareth
Thanks for your reply.
Just to be 100% clear: I have a code be B licence – so have done the learners licence for that long time ago.
If I go for the EB or EC1 – will I need to do the learners licence again? Is it a different type of learners licence?
Regards,
Cliff
Hi cliff. Regardless of any learners licence done previously you will need to redo your learners.
A code 2 learners licence is for light motor vehicles (B, EB) and a code 3 is for heavy motor vehicles (C, EC, EC1, C1).
The test is mostly the same with a few different questions.
Apparently with a code 3 you can apply for a LMV licence but rather confirm that with the traffic department.
Hi Gareth
I have spoken too you a while back. I eventually found a drive school nearby me. I spoke to them -they advised that they will prefer a EC and not a EC1 for. Can you please state the differences for me again?
They said the EC is a code 14.
And the EC1 is a code 11. Is this correct.
My main aim is to tow a caravan. Have a code B only.
Thanks so far.
Regards,
Cliff
Hey Cliff, you can do either an EC or EC1. Both will allow you to tow a caravan. Only difference is EC1 is articulated vehicles up to 16tons GVM, and EC is anything over that as well.
Hi should you do an EB licence you are required to present yourself on day of test with a Light motor vehicle as well as a trailer that weighs more that 750 kg. The test consist of a 20m straight reverse, left turn as well as a alley docking to the right.( (with a trailer attached). Then the trailer is unhitched and you will have to do a parallel to the left as well as the right. EC1 licence has a limitation. Therefore most people apply for an EC licence
Hi
If i have a code 10 learners licence , can i do a code 8 drivers because to some of your answers, you said yes its possible but to others you said no its NOT possible …. please clarify for me.
Hi Leloh
Apparently you can do a code 8 with a code 10 driver’s licence. I was only informed of this recently, thus some of my posts may not reflect that.
Hi Gareth
I have an EB licence and want to purchase a Tuk Tuk. Is this classed as a motorbike or a motor vehicle and what licence is needed
Hi Mike
As far as I know a Tuk Tuk is considered a Motor bike and will require an A licence. If you are wanting to transport people with it you will further require a PrDP.
Three months away from turning 17 and was wondering if I could apply for my learners already??
You should be allowed to, but it will only be for after your turn 17. Phone your local traffic department to check, sometimes they won’t let you book too far in advance.
Hi Gareth
I’ve got a temporary license with me and is expiring soon. I’m 800 kilos away from where I took my license. Does the license expires when not fetching after 6 weeks?
After 6 weeks they will likely destroy the driver’s licence. You can get a friend/relative to collect it for you if you follow certain guidelines.
If my son gets a code 10 learners can he still drive a code 10vehicle, ir does he first have to do the code 8. Is the test the same as the code 8, and what is the cost do to the learners.
Code 8 and code 10 tests are different, code 8 you have to do a parallel park which you don’t have to in code 10.
A code 10 learner’s lets you drive code 8 vehicles as well.
Costs vary from province to province.