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’m a man aged 29 years old. I’ve a class 2 licence and international driving permit (Zimbabwean one). I would like to know if its possible for me to apply for Public Driving Permit (PDP) a South African one? I’ve a work permit validated for 4 years. Thanks by Tamutsa
Hey Tamutsa
Read this article which explains the law a bit better. But it seems if you have a foreign licence you cannot get a PrDP, you have to get a South African licence and PrDP. However you are allowed to drive heavy motor vehicles in South Africa if you have a valid Zimbabwean licence as well as a Zimbabwean Defensive Driving Permit.
To make sure, give your local traffic office a call.
Hie, i would want to know the equivalence of Code 14 in terms of Code C, B, EC language. secondly, is the learners test the same as for Code 3
An old code 14 licence is equivalent to a current EC licence.
The test for a learner’s licence Code 1, 2 or 3 all comprise 80% the same content relating to signs and rules of the road. The last 15% is specific for the class of vehicle you’re wanting to get. Each will have a few questions on the controls of the specific vehicle and some other content relating to the specific vehicle class. So code 3 will have some additional questions on Heavy Motor Vehicles.
Hi Can you help. is there a different learners test for a code 10? ( code 3) and if so are there k53 books for a code 10 learners test
Hi Pat, there is a difference between a learner’s licence test for a code 10 (HMV) and a code 8 licence (LMV). The tests are 80% the same, the only difference being a section on controls, and a section on signs specifically for a heavy motor vehicle over a light motor vehicle.
I don’t know of books specifically for a code 10.
My younger brother is 18 and turning 19 in August, he likes to know if he can get a Code 10 Drivers License
yes he can. Because he is over the age of 18 he can get a HMV learner’s licence and then apply to do his Code 10 driver’s licence
Can i Have A Code 8 Learners Licence then get a code 10 driver licence
no, code 8 is for a light motor vehicle (code 2 learner’s licence), code 10 is a heavy motor vehicle (heavy motor vehicle).
Hi Gareth,
Thanks for a great article.
I just want to know, in terms of obtaining a PrDP category D permit… Can you obtain it with a code 10? And how can you make sure that the service provider offering the course is accredited, do they register somewhere maybe? I enquired at a place where you don’t even need a medical certificate, so is this legit?
Also for job adverts, can I apply with a code 10 where they want code 14? How are they similar? Or different, rather…
Looking forward to your reply…
Hey Kelly.
You can get a PrDP for any driving licence level. From my understanding the service provider should just provide you with a certificate saying you are trained. Your application for the actual PrDP is with the traffic department itself. You supply the traffic department with your medical certificate and certificate of training for the dangerous goods.
A code 10 in current standards I believe is a code C licence. This permits driving any vehicle up to 16 tons GVM. A code 14 (modern day EC) is for articulated vehicles over 16 tons, so you cannot apply for a job requiring code 14, if you only have a code 10.
Thanks!
If I have my drivers licence. Can I ride a motorcycle with an engine bigger than 125cc?
you may only ride a motorcycle with an engine bigger than 125cc if you have a driver’s licence for a code A vehicle. Any other driver’s licence for light motor vehicles or heavy motor vehicles does not cover motor bikes.
After getting my learners licence how long must i wait before applying for a drivers licence?
As long as you are old enough, you can apply for your driver’s licence test the moment you have your learner’s licence.
Can you apply for your drivers before you turn 18 so that you can do the test on the day you turn 18?
You should be able to, I did this when I got my licence.
Hi. I know a Zimbabwean who would like to write her learners but she has been told that she can only apply at Langlaagte. Can foreigners only apply at certain centres or can they apply at any licencing dept that deals with learner/drivers applications?
Hi Justine
As far as I know as long as you have a passport you should be able to apply anywhere. But just phone a different traffic department that you’d like to go to and check with them if you can apply before you go.
if i have a code 8 learners licence can i book for code 10 drivers licence.
No, code 8 is LMV, code 10 is HMV
Hi Gareth
Hope you dont mind me asking. Are you able to tell me what the old code 08 SA licence entitlements are, i.e what vehicle restriction if any was there. I have the old 08 and changed it for a UK licence but am trying to get them to add a D1E which entitles me to drive a minibus and trailer. If i can prove the entitlments on the 08 licence cover this then it should be quite straight forward. Look forward to hearing from you.
A code 08 was the standard LMV licence that was given out before the system change. It was converted to an EB licence. Which is any vehicle up to 3500kg GVM with a trailer of any permissible weight. If you look through the road traffic act, you should be able find this defined somewhere.