Getting a drivers licence might take four years in the future

To drive legally on South African roads you need a driving licence. 

Word is that, soon, to get a licence may take you four years to complete. So I better get a move on, find a good reputable driving school, start with my lessons and get that driving licence before the proposed amendments come into effect .

The new proposal states that a person can apply for a learner driver's licence from the age of 16, but will be forced to be accompanied by a fully licensed driver while driving and stick to a maximum of 80km per hour. On the roads, they will be recognised by a black 'L' sign with a yellow background on their back windscreen.

Then learners will have to log 120 hours of driving in addition to twenty hours of driving at night.

In the second year, you will have to apply for a P1 license which will allow you to drive alone, at a speed limit of 90km/hour. Exceeding the speed will incur a three month suspension of the licence and you would have to display a red 'L' with a white background.

You will then be granted a P2 licence in the third year that includes a computerised hazard perception test. You will be allowed to drive up to 100km/hour and be recognised by a green 'L' sign.

Only on the fourth year will a full licence be granted, which will also include a final computerised test.



Different licences are issued for the various categories of motor vehicles.

Code A1: This is for a motor cycle with or without a sidecar and with an engine not exceeding 125 cc. You must be at least 17 years old on the date of the test.

Code A: This is for a motor cycle with or without a sidecar and with an engine that exceeds 125 cc. You must be 18 years or older to apply.

Code B: This is for a motor vehicle, including a minibus, bus and goods vehicle, with a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3 500kg. You must 18 years or older to apply.

Code C1: This is for a motor vehicle, a bus, minibus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.

Code C: This is for a motor vehicle, a bus or a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 16 000kg.

Code EB: This is for a light motor vehicle that is articulated (light motor vehicle drawing a trailer) with a gross combination mass not exceeding 3 500 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply
combination of a motor vehicle with a tare not exceeding 3 500 kg and a minibus, bus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3 500 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.

Code EC1: This is for an articulated heavy motor vehicle (heavy motor vehicle drawing a trailer/trailers) with a gross combination mass between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply
a combination of a motor vehicle with a tare between 3 500 kg and 16 500 kg and a minibus, midibus, bus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.

Code EC: This is for an articulated heavy motor vehicle (heavy motor vehicle drawing a trailer/trailers) 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. 


To book a test date you need to go to the driving licence testing centre with the following:

An identity (ID) document
Four black and white identical photographs. You must first confirm with the testing centre how many photos they require before taking photos.
A booking fee.

At the testing centre, you will complete  an application for driving licence form (DL1).

Remember to keep the receipt as proof of payment and as confirmation of the test date and time.

On the day of the test, you will be assessed by a qualified examiner.

If you pass the test, they will take your fingerprints and you will undergo an eye test. Alternatively, you may have an eye test performed at a qualified optometrist and submit the form at the testing centre, but ask if this is applicable at the testing centre which you'll be going to. 

If you pass the driving test, you need to pay an issuing fee to receive a temporary driving licence, which you will use while you wait for the ordered driving licence card. You will be notified when your driving licence card is ready for collection. You must collect your driving licence at the DLTC where you made your application.

The application doesn't take long as it is processed on the same day.


Source: www.services.gov.za