What you should do
Go to the driving licence testing centre (DLTC) in the province where you obtained your permanent residence.
Complete form DL1 (Application for exchange of a driving licence) at any driving licence testing centre.
You must submit the following:
- an acceptable identification as required by South African legislation (e.g. identity document (ID), temporary ID, valid South African passport, or foreign passport with permanent residence permit)
- four black and white ID sized photographs
- current foreign driving licence
- proof of permanent residency in the Republic of South Africa
- proof that you were not a permanent resident of South Africa at the time the foreign licence was issued (for example, you can produce a passport, permanent residence permit or visa)
- a letter of translation of the licence by a competent authority if the licence is not in one of the official languages of South Africa
- confirmation from a Driving Licence Issuing Authority that you are in possession of a valid driving licence (stating the codes and relevant categories of vehicles that the person is permitted to drive), that has not been cancelled or suspended
- in case of an International Driving Permit (IDP), you must submit the driving licence on the authority of which such permit was issued
The driving licence testing centre will authorise the issue and issue the driving licence, if it is satisfied that:
- you are the owner of the foreign driving licence
- the foreign driving licence is still valid in the country or territory of issue; and in the case of an application for the exchange of a driving licence obtained in the former "homelands" of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Gazankulu, KaNgwane, KwaNdebele, KwaZulu, Lebowa, QwaQwa, Transkei or Venda, if the MEC concerned confirms in writing that the applicant is the holder of a valid licence.
You will hand over your foreign driving licence or driving permit when you receive your South African licence.
You will not be required to undergo a driving licence examination but an eye test will be conducted on site before the exchange is finalised.