GET YOUR LEARNER AND DRIVER LICENCE

All South African drivers are required to have a driver licence. Before a driver licence can be obtained, however, a learner driver licence must be obtained first. A learner driver licence allows you to drive a vehicle of the code applied for, if accompanied by a licenced driver for such vehicle code present in the vehicle, except for a learner licence issued for a motorcycle, which does not allow the carrying of passengers.

APPLYING FOR A LEARNER DRIVER LICENCE

• To pass the test for learner drivers, one needs to understand the rules of the road, traffic signs, road markings and the controls of the vehicle code being applied for. Visit the local driving licence test centre and submit your application, including the following:
• The application form for a learner licence (Form LL1), available at the Traffic Department
• An eye test done at the Traffic Department, or an eye test certificate, issued by a qualified optometrist
• A valid identity document
• Two recent, identical ID-sized photos
• The relevant application fee
• Proof of address (any account e.g., municipal utility bill, or bank statement, not older than 3 months)
• If the account is not in your name, the account holder or your parent must make an affidavit (POA form, available at the Traffic Department) declaring that the applicant lives at such address.
• The account must be attached to the affidavit.
• If you are applying at a Traffic Department outside of your municipal area, ensure that your local municipality verify your address before applying.
• Persons who are 65 years, or older must complete a medical certificate, available at the Traffic Department

After paying the application fee, a receipt will be issued with the date and time of your test. On the day of the test this receipt must be brought along, as well as your valid identity document. Once you complete and pass your test, the Learner Driver Licence will be issued, at a fee of R33.

APPLYING FOR AN ORAL TEST

Applicants who are challenged to read or write, can apply to do an oral examination for the learner licence test. The following is needed:

• An affidavit, made at SAPS - stating that you cannot read, or write, or that you suffer from a learning disability, or Dyslexia
• Proof of such disability, issued by a health care practitioner, or a learning institution
• A valid Identity document
• Two recent, identical ID-sized photos

The application will be sent to the Provincial Administration for approval. Once permission is granted, the traffic department will contact you with information of the next step.

APPLYING FOR A DRIVER LICENCE, RENEWAL, OR REPLACEMENT THEREOF

Driver Licence When applying for your driving licence ensure that you have a valid learner driver licence. The driving test is a practical test that uses the K53 method to test your knowledge of the road traffic signs, rules of the road and driving capabilities required to drive on a public road.

Visit your local driving licence testing centre and submit your application, including the following:

• An application form for a driving licence (Form DL1), available at the Traffic Department
• An eye test done at the Traffic Department, or an eye test certificate, issued by a qualified optometrist.
• A valid identity document
• Two recent, identical ID-sized photos
• The relevant application fee

After paying the application fee, a receipt will be issued with the date and time of your test. On the day of the test this receipt must be brought along, as well as your valid identity document and learner driver licence. Once you complete and pass your test, a temporary driver licence will be issued, at a fee of R140, to order your new driver licence card. The new driving licence card should be ready for collection after six to eight weeks. When collecting your driver licence card, your ID document must be produced.

When someone else collects your licence, the following is needed:

An affidavit made at SAPS, stating the reason why you cannot collect the card yourself, including the name and ID number of the person collecting it on your behalf.

A certified copy of your ID

Original ID document of the person who is collecting

Proof of address (any account e.g., municipal utility bill, or bank statement not older than 3 months)

If the account is not in your name, the account holder or your parent must make an affidavit (POA form, available at the Traffic Department) declaring that you live at the address. The account must be attached to the affidavit.

If you are applying at a Traffic Department outside of your municipal area, ensure that your local municipality verify your address before applying.

Application for renewal, or replacement of a lost or stolen driving licence

Visit your local driving licence testing centre and submit your application, including the following:

• An application form for a driving licence (Form DL1), available at the Traffic Department
• An eye test done at the Traffic Department, or an eye test certificate issued by a qualified optometrist.
• A valid identity document or valid driving licence
• Two recent, identical ID-sized photos
• The relevant application fee

A driving licence card expires five years from the date on which it was applied for. The expiry date appears on the card. Application for the new card must be made on or before the expiry date.

Application for renewal of PrDP Visit your local driving licence testing centre and submit your application, including the following:

• Application form for Professional driving permit (Form PD1) and medical certificate (Form MC), available at the Traffic Department
• An eye test done at the Traffic Department, or an eye test certificate, issued by a qualified optometrist.
• A valid identity document, or valid driving licence
• Two recent, identical ID-sized photos
• The relevant application fee

A professional driving permit expires every two years from the date of application. The expiry date appears on the card. Application for the new professional driving permit must be made on or before the expiry date.

DEFERRAL OR CANCELATION OF A TEST

A learner’s licence test can be deferred to a later date, if you are unable to honour your appointment, provided that the Traffic Department, where the application was made, is informed before the test date and time, and with valid proof of any of the following reasons:

• Sickness (provide a medical certificate)
• Attending a funeral (provide a death certificate)
• Writing

The above also apply to an appointment for a driver licence test being deferred or cancelled. The booking fee will, however, not be refunded. Please ensure contacting the Traffic Department in advance, to prevent causing backlogs.