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 Gareth,
Thanks for the Advice. I really appreciate it.
hi there, my husband is a tow truck operator, he has a code 8 with pdp, has had this same licence for many years. in 1998 when the new system came about his licence changed from b to eb. now we see his licence only has b. does he now have to reapply for eb or does the b with pdp stand with his line of work?
Hi Chantell
With a B licence, one can only tow a vehicle up to 750kg, so a tow truck operator, he will most likely require an EB, as most of the vehicles he will tow will be heavier than 750kg. As such he can either try get the traffic department to issue him with an EB because he had a previous code 8, or he will have to redo his driver’s licence and apply for an EB.
Hello Gareth.
I have a UK driving licence which expires this year (2015) this licence is for light vehicle (car) and a motor bike. When I converted to a South African licence some years ago I did not notice that I did not have a licence to ride a motorbike here (I have a EB licence.. Do I have to do a retest for a motorbike? or can the licence dept add the bike licence to my SA licence
If you were able to convert previously, you can try again to get the motorbike licence converted. I don’t know the conversion process that well. Otherwise you will have to do a test locally to get an A licence.
I have an EB licence, can I drive a 3 ton truck?
You can drive a truck with a GVM of 3.5 tons or less
Hi. I have recently got my driver’s license. Now, the problem is I am automatic vehicle restricted and my learners license expired over a month ago. I don’t want any restrictions. What do I have to do in this case?
you have to redo your learner’s licence, and redo your driver’s licence in a vehicle that has a manual transmission.
what will happen if i drive a Mercedes Sprinter with a GWM of 3550 kg, and a 10 seat capacity with a code 8 (Code B) license? is it illegal?
your licence only permits you to drive a vehicle with GVM up to 3500kg, so if the vehicle’s GVM is 3550kg, you are not allowed to drive it. 10 seater means you don’t require a PrDP, unless you are transporting people for reward.
Hi Gareth,
I currently have a code 10 license, and there is plenty of rumours that government is considering NOT to let code 10 drivers be able to drive code 8 anymore in the near distant furure. This is absurd as I paid good money to go for code 10, and spend time for testing, school, etc. How will they(govenrment or the traffic organization be able to scrap this, without refunding all the people who do have Code 10)
I find my car much better to drive than my truck anyway. What is your stance regarding this rumour?
The rumour is unfounded. They attempted to pass such a law in 2012, but it was rejected. However, even the planned law didn’t affect people who already had a HMV licence. That is it was only supposed to people who got a code 10 after the date the law would be passed.
If I have a code 10 leaner’s licence, will I be allowed to drive a motor bike or will I need to get a motor bike learner’s for me to be able to?
You need a separate licence for driving trucks and for driving motor cycles
Hi Gareth
My wife and I are both B licence holders. We have purchased a caravan weighing more than 750kg and we are now needing to redo our learners licences and our drivers licences.
What I am wondering is which is the best licence for us to do?
We have heard conflicting things.
Some people say we have to do the EB licence, but that we have to do it with a caravan for certain parts of the test.
Others tell us to do the EC or EC1 licence because it allows us to tow more than 750 kg but it is easier to do than the EB licence.
What is the best licence for us to do? Which will be the easier course of action? I don’t know that my wife would be able to hitch and unhitch a caravan in the yard (which we have been told she would have to do in the yard test for the EB licence).
I have phone a couple of driving schools and they keep telling me to just do the C1 test and I can tow more than 750kg, but that is incorrect as far as I can tell.
Thank you
Hey Iain
The EB licence you do with a normal Light Motor Vehicle and a large trailer (or caravan). You will do majority of the tests with the caravan on, but will be required to unhitch the caravan and do a parallel parking manoeuvre. If you do an EC or EC1, you will generally do it in a large articulated vehicle. No parallel parking is required. It may cost more as you have to go with a school and/or hire a vehicle for the test (I definitely advise practice runs) if you do the test with a HMV, but you won’t be required to do a parallel park.
With a C or C1, you can only tow a trailer/caravan with GVM up to 750kg.
Hi
if the date of issue on my code8 license is 2001 and this year I do code 10. Is the date of issue going to change. If changed, to when? Isn’t that going to affect my experience introduction to my applications for jobs?
Your date of issue will change to the new date, however you can request a document from the traffic department showing that you’ve had your code 8 since 2001
Hello,I just want to find out if I can renew my PDP online?
No, unfortunately no dealings with the SA traffic department can be done online.
Thanks dude,keep up the good work.