How to get a Drivers License

In order to drive a vehicle in the Republic of South Africa, you need to acquire a drivers license that will permit you to drive legally. It must however be noted that, before applying for drivers license, you should have already acquired a learners license.

Categories of Driving License Issue in South Africa

The licenses are issued for different categories of motor vehicles

• Code A1 : This one is issued for for motor cycles with or without sidecar and the engine capacity not more than 125 cc. The applicant must be at least at the age of seventeen (17) years at the date of test.
• Code A2 : This category is for those motor cycles with or without sidecars and having engine capacity more than 125 cc. The applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years by the date of the test.
• Code B : It is issued for motor vehicle or minibus, bus or goods vehicles having a gross vehicle mass not more than 3500kg. The applicant must be at least eighteen years at the date of test before you can apply.
• Code C1 : This one is issued for motor vehicles or minibus, bus and goods vehicles with gross vehicle mass ranging between 3500kg and 16000 kg. The applicant be eighteen (18) years or more before applying.
• Code C : This is for motor vehicles, minibus or goods vehicle having a vehicle gross mass more than 16000 kg and the applicant must be at least eighteen years of age before applying.
• Code EB: This one is issued for two sub-categories as follows:
  • Light motor vehicle that is articulated (light motor vehicle having a trailer) with a a combined gross  mass not more than 3 500 kg. You must be at least 18 years to apply.
  • Combined motor vehicle with a tare not more than 3 500 kg and a minibus, bus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass not more than 3 500 kg. You must be at least 18 years  to apply.
• Code EC1: This category is issued for:
  • An articulated heavy motor vehicle (heavy motor vehicle having a trailer[s]) with a combined gross  mass ranging between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg. The applicant must be at least 18 years to apply.
  • A combination of a motor vehicle with a tare ranging between 3 500 kg and 16 500 kg and a  minibus, bus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg. You must be at least  18 years to apply.
• Code EC: This is for an articulated heavy motor vehicle (heavy motor vehicle drawing a trailer[s]) with a gross combination mass exceeding 16 000 kg or a combination of a bus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.

Mode of Application: How and Where To Apply

• Visit any nearest Driving License Testing Centre (DLTC) to book for a date. You can book it online if live in Gauteng Province by following this tutorial on RTMC Drivers and Learners Online Portal to book your date.
• When the booking date reaches, go the DLTC centre with following:
  1. The  learner’s license (LL2).
  2. The  ID Document .
  3. Four black-and-white photographs which are identical. But before taking the pictures, confirm from your local DLTC to confirm the actual number of pictures needed as it may change from time to time.
  4. Proof of residential address for example utility account. In case the utility bill is not in your official name, let the owner of the bill have an affidavit indicating his acknowledgment that you live in his house and that you are authorized to use that bill as official proof or residence and postal address services.
  5.  For those living in an informal residence or settlement with no proper postal and residential address, the ward Councillor should sign and stamp your approving that you live in that area.
  6. A booking fee at the current rate.  The amount can be confirmed from the DLTC.
• Take a copy of the driving license application form (DL1) available at the DLTC and complete it.
• The receipt for the booking fee should be kept to confirm as a proof for booking date and time when coming for the test.
• Make sure you come to the DLTC at the appointed date and time. The Learners license and receipt of booking will first be verified before you are allowed to take the test.
• A qualified examiner will conduct the test. If you pass the test, your fingerprints will be taken at the centre and subsequent eye test at the same centre. However, you can the eye test performed by a qualified optometrist and the report of the eye test submitted at the DLTC.
• Also, if you are successful with the test, you will be required to pay issuing fee and a temporal driving licence will be given as you wait for the main driving license. The temporal licence can be used as far as you wait for the original license.
• The applicant will be notified when the driving license is ready for collection and be picked at the same DLTC centre the application and test were conducted.