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 am writing my learners in 10 days and i have already confirmed my application but i applied for code 8 instead of code 10 due to lack of understanding is it possible to change the details before then?

  2. Hi i am 43years old had gone for code 7 licens i think it was around1998 or so and never applied for new card ever how con i find this detail and thus am i a licenced driver just no card .? OR HAS IT EXPIRED AND ILL NEED TO TEST AND PASS AGAINE THEN GET CARD

    • Hi Llewellyn, it depends on your reason for not having converted it already. News24 have an article that details the various options (illness, imprisonment, overseas), but if you don’t qualify, you’ll have to redo your learners and drivers

    • No, you will need to redo your learner’s licence and get a code3 learner’s licence. This a Heavy Motor Vehicle licence and will let you get a C1 (old code 10) driver’s licence

  3. Hey, I have a code 8 license and want to apply to do a code 10 license . Do I need to write a learners license for code 10 first and even though I already have a code 8 valid license ?
    Please help , thanks

    • Hi Frans,
      EC1 is articulated vehicles up to GCM 16 tons. So no specific limit on what you’re towing, as long as all vehicles combined are less than 16 tons.
      Vehicle restriction 4 allows you to drive a bus with a GVM in excess of 16 tons.

  4. Can I drive a quantum carrying 15 passengers with a code 08 license?
    2nd question
    Can I apply for prdp with a code 08 to drive a quantum carrying 15 passengers for remuneration? Please help coz I have a code 08.

    • It depends on the specific model. Most Quantum’s have a GVM of less than 3.5 tons, so can be driven with a code EB (old code 8) licence.
      But to be sure, you must check the GVM of the specific vehicle you are going to drive.

      Yes, you can apply for a PrDP regardless of your licence code.

  5. Hi, pls help. I tested C1 code but I received code B drivers licence. I did not notice when I received it but only noticed when I went to renew it. They told me to go back where I tested so that they change the status of my licence. When I checked they closed the Three rivers testing place. I need to find out if I can start over again with the whole process so that I get my C1 drivers licence.

    • Hi Slindile, I’m sorry to hear that, it’s very frustrating. If you’re not able to get the Traffic Department to issue you the C1, you are able to get a new learner’s licence and redo your driver’s licence at any time. Unfortunately you will have to pay to redo these tests.
      Have you been back to the traffic department to tell them that the original station has closed?

  6. Hi, I’ve opted for a code 8 licence. Will it allow me to drive any vehicle with a mass of 3500 i.e. Quantum and such other light vehicles?

    • Code 8 licences are the old system, you will either get a code B, or EB. They will allow you to drive any vehicle with a GVM less than 3500kg. Most Quantum’s fall below this limit. If you are driving passengers for reward, you may additionally require a PrDP, but this is only after you’ve got your code B/EB.

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