It constantly frustrates me how although since 1998 (16 years ago) the official licence system has made use of a system of letters to distinguish between different licence codes, to this day, people still, on a regular basis, refer to licence codes by the old number system.
To make things easier for people who are getting confused, I’ve pulled the data from the Road Traffic Act and put it together here, first the learner’s licence, then driver’s licence info. The system has undergone several changes over the decades and the time frame that each refers to is specified at the top of each column
I’ve also added a copy of a current driver’s licence to show what the current codes refer to.
Learner’s Licence system
| learner’s licence issued before 1 March 1998 | New/Current Learner’s Licence | What this currently entails |
| Code 01, 02, 03, 04 and 15 | Code 1 | Motorbike / trike |
| Code 05, 06, 07, 08 | Code 2 | LMV |
| code 10, 11, 13 and 14 | Code 3 | HMV or LMV |
Driver’s Licence
| Current | [1995 – 1998] | [01.06.1990 – 1995) | [31.12.1985 – 01.06.1990) | [01.02.1972 – 31.12.1985) | [01.01.1967 – 01.02.1972) | [… – 01.01.1967) |
| A1 | Code 01 | Code 01 | Code 01 | Code 01 | Code 01 | Code 01 |
| A | Code 15 | Code 02 Code 15 Code 03 Code 04 |
Code 02 Code 03 Code 04 |
Code 02 Code 03 Code 04 |
Code 02 Code 03 |
Code 02 Code 03 |
| B | Code 05 Code 07 |
Code 05 Code 07 |
Code 05 Code 07 |
Code 05 Code 07 |
agricultural / industrial vehicles | |
| EB | Code 08 | Code 08 | Code 08 | Code 08 | Code 08 | Code 08 |
| EC1 | Code 10 | Code 10 | Code 10 | Code 9 | ||
| EC | Code 11 Code 13 Code 14 |
Code 11 Code 13 Code 14 |
Code 11 Code 13 Code 14 |
Code 10 Code 11 |
Code 10 Code 11 |
Code 10 |
Current SA driver’s licence codes
A code 6 licence could be given for any category licence referring to an electrically powered vehicle.
A code 12 licence could be given for any category licence referring to a vehicle that is specially adapted for use by a physically disabled person.
All info is from the Road Traffic Act, Regulations, Chapter V: Fitness of Drivers, Part ll: Learner’s and driving licences and it goes into a lot more detail than I’ve displayed here. You can click the following terms if you would like more info on the SA Driver’s licence system or the Professional Driver’s Permit.
I once heard you could drive code A with a code EC license, I personally never believed it but please clarify.
Also is it just me or is it actually some serious rocket science reversing a trailer perfectly into a parking?!!! Goodness me!!
Hi Ace, you’re right, you cannot drive any kind of motorbike with an EC. You need an additional A licence.
Yeah, reversing a trailer takes quite a bit of practice :) good luck
I have EB and I want to apply for EC,so am I going to start to pay again?
Start paying?
You will have to pay the standard fee to retake your learners.
You will have to pay the standard fee to redo your drivers.
HI THERE,
Thanks for all the info.
How does the licence card distinguish between manual transmission and automatic transmission licence?
Is there a code on it that shows which transmission you are allowed to drive?
Thanks
On the front of your card it will list a vehicle restriction. Vehicle Restriction 1, indicates that you may only drive automatic transmission vehicles.
What is the difference between c1 and Ec1,do they use different types of vehicles when they go for test
Yes, EC1 requires a trailer for testing. See here
please help.have leaners licence for code 3 without any restriction or limitations,can i use it to test with an automatic vehicle or do i have to go back and write assesments for automatic vehicle if there is? if i can would it be possible to test with a medium automatic SUV vehicle?
There is no separate learners licence for manual/automatic. If you have code 3 learners, you can drive heavy or light motor vehicle
I got a code B licence which is SADC from Angola, so am I allowed to ride bikes in south Africa???
Code B is for LMV only. In SA you won’t be allowed to drive motor bikes
may l know in which category is a class four Zimbabwean drivers licence.
I don’t know the Zimbabwean licence system.
Is a code 10 drivers licence done in a automatic ? And if so does that mean I am still allowed to drive a light motor vehicle manual ?
you can do a code 10 in manual or automatic, depending what you do it in, that restriction will apply to all codes on your licence
how much is code 11 license ?
prices vary with time and location.
What is the total weight of a trailer can a code EC1 carry and what kind of vehicle can he drive
EC1 can tow any trailer the vehicle is permitted to tow.
Hi I have EC1 04 licence wt is the equivalent of that licence code
What do you mean, EC1 is a current licence code.