Driving Licence system in South Africa

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.

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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

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.

1,450 thoughts on “Driving Licence system in South Africa

  1. Hi, I made an appointment to do my learners license. I selected teh code 3. So, I wanted to know if I could change that to a code 2 before I write the test. Or if I get the learners code 3 could I get a drivers license code 2. Please help.

    • If you get code 3 learners you should be able to do light Motor vehicle drivers licence.
      You generally can’t change which learners test you write after you’ve booked.

  2. Hi, I am looking for information on the following as at November 2014
    1. What licence is required to drive a farm (haulage) tractor with a dumpster trailer carrying Milo (Sorghum) on a public road in south africa and;
    2. Is a PrDP required by the driver.

    • I’m not really sure. According to this article, a Haulage Tractor would require a driver with EC and PrDP, but it doesn’t seem like it has been passed into law yet. At the moment tractors are exempt from requiring PrDP (not sure if this includes haulage tractors), and likewise a B licence should be sufficient.

  3. Hi was wondering if i have a code 10 learners can i pass out for a code 8 drivers license. messed up with codes didnt want a code 10

  4. Hi, recently I went for test driving and the engine turned of by mistake and the was no roll. Is that a fail? couse I was told that I failed.

    • What do you mean the engine turned off by mistake? Did you stall? What was the reason given for failing you?
      If the car randomly turned off, some might view this as being an unroadworth vehicle, which is grounds for failing. If you just stalled, then they should not have failed you.

          • I’m sorry, your only option is to try appeal then at the traffic department. If you have any evidence this would be advantageous.

          • Hi, can someone please define an uncontrolled and dangerous action… Car stolled, was ver nervous, at least handbrake was on, but I forgot to get the vehicle out of gear and started the car… The officer ticked uncontrolled and dangerous action, bu the vehicle did not roll and handbrake was still engaged.

          • The Department’s definition is :

            Any act which results or could result in damage, injury or loss of control of the vehicle.

            Not very explanatory though

          • Thank you so much for your reply… Just another thing, can a person be tested with a vehicle that has a valid Temporary Motor Vehicle Permit? Or don’t they allow it? Or can they refuse you?

          • The vehicle must be roadworthy and registered, displaying a licence disk. If you have a temporary licence displayed this should be OK, but I’m not sure.
            Part of the pre-trip inspection calls for the noting of a valid licence plate at the front and rear of the vehicle and that it is properly secured and that the registration matches the details on the licence disc.

  5. why i can’t apply for code 10 if i got one eye though I do drive a truck very well without any difficulties?

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