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 |
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 do not find an E6 code on the driver’s licence code list, but my driver’s licence is for code E6. Can you please indicate for what am I qualified?
Kind regards
Chris Benade
E6 is not a SA driver’s licence code. send me a photo for further analysis
My driver’s license code 8 in the old systems went to code B and not code EB.
How do I rectify this?
You will have to contact the traffic department directly to determine if that can be resolved.
My driving licence is C.
Can you please indicate for what am I qualified?
Hi Inocencio, you can read more about the different codes here: http://blog.gcawood.com/2014/01/11/driving-licence-system-in-south-africa/
Code C: This is for a motor vehicle, a bus or a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 16 000kg.
https://www.gov.za/services/driving-licence/apply-driving-licence
Hi, I have a code B driver’s licence, how do I got about making it a code EB?
You will have to redo your learner’s licence, and then redo your driver’s licence in a B vehicle while towing a trailer that falls into the E category.
At what age can you apply for a learners licence for a code 10?
18
NB: i have code 10 (EC1) can i drive a motorcyce with it or using it?
no
Is a old code 10, now a EC1 – meaning with a code 10 can I tow a trailer or a caravan?
Thanks
If you previously had a code 10, it should have been converted to an EC1, meaning you can tow a trailer and caravan. But check your licence to see what code you have.
Can I write the learners test for a code 10 while I have a code 8
yes, you should be able to
Before 1995 what was the license code for a motorcycle above 125 cc?
Depends on what year you got it. Just look at the “A” row in the table.
Does the drivers licence change when upgrading from code 10 to code 14
What do you mean does it change? You have to get a new licence card which will show your new licence.