Requirements to apply for a driving licence

You need a driving licence to drive legally on South African roads. 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 3 500 kg. 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 16 000 kg.

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[s]) 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[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. 

What you should do

Go to the nearest driving licence testing centre (DLTC) to book a test date with the following:

• an identity (ID) document
• four black and white identical photographs. You must first confirm with the DLTC how many photos they require before taking photos.
  
• a booking fee.
  

Complete Application for driving licence form (DL1) at the DLTC.

Keep the receipt as proof of payment and as confirmation of the test date and time.

On the date of the test, you must be at the DLTC at the specified testing time. Your receipt and learner’s licence will be verified before you proceed to 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 at the DLTC. Alternatively, you may have an eye test performed at a qualified optometrist and submit the form at the DLTC.

If you pass the driving test, you must pay the 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. 

How long does it take

The application is processed on the same day.

How much does it cost

Province	Booking fee		Issue fee
Eastern Cape	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R225 R294 R345	R216 for all codes
Free State	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R166 R206 R232	R186 for all codes
Gauteng	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R192 R228 R240	R228 for all codes
KwaZulu-Natal	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R220 R250 R300	R250 for all codes
Limpopo	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R174 R216 R216	R216 for all codes
Mpumalanga	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R132 R132 R184	R170 for all codes
Northern Cape	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R170 R190 R220	R120 for all codes
North West	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R222 R222 R252	R222 for all codes
Western Cape	Motor cycle Light motor vehicle Heavy motor vehicle	R135 R135 R200	R140 for all codes

Forms to complete

Application for driving licence form (DL1) is available at any driving licence testing centre.

Who to contact

National Traffic Information System (eNatis) service centres