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
I had a 2nd attemp to my Driver’s lisence this morning, unfortunately with no success. After 45 minutes I was informed that I had failed – my question: if a person feels that you’ve been unfairly failed, can you appeal the result of your test?
I realize it happens to lots of people everyday but feel that this time around I was really not in the wrong.
Regards
Rita
Hey Rita
Your only option will be to raise a complaint with the manager at the specific licence centre. It depends a lot on what the reason was for failing you. The biggest thing is proving it. I imagine a best case scenario would be that they let you redo your test free of charge and with a different examiner. I don’t see them giving you a licence, if you were specifically failed. Out of interest, what was the reason given for you failing?
Hi There
I failed my learners (code 1) last Friday, by three points (road signs section).
I have no real reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of the examiner, but I was so shocked when she said I had failed I just left.
A bit of background on me – I passed my first code 1 learners license two years ago but it expired before I could get my drivers license. I studied for this test and was averaging over 80% on the online tests. I have had my car drivers license for over 30 years!
Would the only thing I can do be to lodge a complaint with the Centre Manager ?
Any advice would be most welcome thanks.
Hey Greg
If you don’t suspect any dishonesty, why would you lodge a complaint? Road signs sections requires 23/28 correct answers. I’m not disputing your knowledge of the laws, or experience, but there are lots of signs they ask which we don’t see on a daily basis.
I don’t know the process for appealing test results, but you could contact your local traffic department about that.
Good luck.
Hi there.
I wrote my learners in 2013 but I lost it. I think it may expire soon but I was wondering if I could check this online or I could phone the centre where I got it to check? Or would I need to go there and then they can tell me? Or would I have to reapply for it and then only check when I get the document? Kind Regards
Amber
Hey Amber
If you go to a traffic department they will be able to check for you and you can request a replacement copy. I don’t know how much information they’d be willing to give out over a phone.
Good luck
Can i ride a bike with a code 8 license only. Iv heard that theres something mentioned like that in the k53
Hi Jono
With a modern day code 8 licence (EB) you may not drive a motor bike.
You must have an A or A1 licence, or code 1 learner’s licence.
Hi. I have an code EC licence. In the meantime I suffered an eye injury which will preclude me from renewing my EC licence. I am however fine for a code 08. Do I have to redo a test for a code 08 or do I just ask for a downgrade when I renew my licence?
When you renew your driver’s licence, you can do the eye test, and if you can’t pass for the EC, but pass for code EB, then they will downgrade you then.
I have a flatbed Isuzu van. I was stopped by a lady traffic officer and she said that my licence disk does not say that my van is a flatbed. She wanted to take the disk off and have me go have the van retested and reregistered as a flatbed. My van had been hijacked 5 years ago and recovered so I had to do all the paperwork, tests and reregistered, but the officials never said it was a flatbed. So am I at fault or the authorities..? what should I do now…?
Hey Shai, I’m afraid I don’t know much about the vehicles types displayed on licence discs. I don’t understand why it should be a problem if your vehicle isn’t registered as a flatbed. You’ll have to check with your local traffic department
Dear Gareth
First and foremost thank you for this very useful blog.
Im asking this question on behalf of my friend, he applied for his licence in Nelspruit, but during the waiting period moved up to Gauteng, Roodepoort.
What is the procedure to follow now to get the licence? Ideally he doesnt want to travel so far again and am sure there is an easier way?
He does hoewever have friends that stays in Nelspruit that can fetch it on his behalf and overnight it to him. But is there a certain form that he can obtain here in JHB or whats the procedure?
Thanks in advance.
Once again good blog!
Regards
Sharon
link
hi lost my traffic register is possible that I can get a new
Contact your local traffic department, you will need an affidavit from the police stating you lost or had it stolen.
Hi If you fail your Learners Test for a motorcycle twice and each time they tell you that you have failed by 1 point. Do you have to fill in forms, get more photo’s, do the eye test. sit in queue’s of more than 50 people each time, etc. all over again. Can they tell us what we failed and can we ask them for our test paper back as we have paid for it.
Unfortunately, if you fail, you fail, regardless by how many points. And if you fail you have to reapply to do the test. I don’t know whether they’re allowed to give you the paper back (I don’t think they can), but you won’t have the questions in any case to compare your answers to.
hi I have a code B and I am prepared to write my code 3 leaner licence and I want to go for code C or CE but I don’t know the difference between code C1 and C TRUCKS
Code C1 is vehicles up to GVM of 16 tons. A C licence is anything above that
My husband is very worried, he wants to do a code 14 in order to get a better job, but he says many people tell him that no matter how good he may do on his driving test, he won’t have it unless he pays a bribe, i really hate bribes, and i tell him that it won’t be like that, they say he must have atleast R11 000 in order to come home with it. I know this is not true, but incase it happens how and whom can we report this matter too?
Hi Mary-Anne, I’m sorry to hear about the possible corruption where you are. I did my EC licence a few years ago in East London and didn’t have any situations where I felt I was being pushed for a bribe. I followed the normal procedure and was issued my licence.
If you happen to face any corruption issues of a criminal nature, reporting the incident to the police is the correct procedure. Have a look at Corruption Watch’s website here (incident reporter) and here (Who can help?) for more info on how to handle such a situation.
Good luck