FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LEARNER'S LICENCE
What is a learner's licence?
- A learner’s licence is a permit that proves that you have the basic knowledge of a motorcycle, light motor vehicle, or heavy motor vehicle and the rules of the road, road traffic signs, and vehicle controls.
Why do I need a learner's licence?
- A learner’s licence is required before you can legally be trained to drive a motorcycle, light motor vehicle, or heavy motor vehicle on a public road.
For how long is a learner's licence valid?
- A learner’s licence is valid for 24 months from the day of the test and cannot be extended.
What requirements must be met to be able to apply for a learner's licence?
- You must be of applicable age and have a valid identification document.
How old must I be to be able to apply for a learner's licence?
- To apply for a Code 1 learner’s licence, you must be at least 16 years old.
- To apply for a Code 2 learner’s licence, you must be at least 17 years old.
- To apply for a Code 3 learner’s licence, you must be at least 18 years old.
Which vehicles can I drive with each of the different learner's licences?
- With a Code 1 learner's licence, you are authorised to ride motorcycles with an engine capacity not exceeding 125 cc if you are younger than 18 years and to ride motorcycles with an engine capacity exceeding 125 cc if you are older than 18 years.
- With a Code 2 learner's licence, you are authorised to drive light motor vehicles or a combination of light motor vehicles, of which neither the gross vehicle mass nor the gross combination mass of such vehicles or combination of vehicles exceeds 3 500 kilograms.
- With a Code 3 learner's licence, you are authorised to drive heavy motor vehicles or a combination of heavy motor vehicles, of which the gross vehicle mass or the gross combination mass of such vehicles or combination of vehicles exceeds 3 500 kilograms. This code includes the Code 2 learner's licence.
Can I drive alone with a learner's licence?
- The holder of a Code 1 learner's licence is not authorised to carry passengers and thus must ride alone.
- The holder of a Code 2 or a Code 3 learner’s licence shall only drive while under the direct supervision of a person who holds a driver's licence for the applicable vehicle class and thus may not drive alone.
Can I have passengers while driving with a learner's licence?
- A Code 1 learner's licence does not authorise the carrying of passengers.
- A Code 2 and a Code 3 learner’s licence authorise the carrying of passengers so long as you drive while under the direct supervision of a person who holds a driver's licence for the applicable vehicle class.
Where do I apply for a learner's licence?
- You can apply to be tested for a learner’s licence at any registered driving licence testing centre.
What must I take along when I apply for a learner's licence?
- Your identification document and a copy thereof.
- 2 x Identity photos, either black & white or colour.
- An application fee of R 50 - 00 to R 250 - 00, depending on the province and town.
- Your proof of residence, if needed, depending on the province and town.
Must my documents be certified when I apply for a learner's licence?
- Certification of your documents is not required.
Must I submit an eye test report from an optometrist when I apply for a learner's licence?
- An eye test can be performed at the driving licence testing centre, but an eye test report from an optometrist not older than 3 months will also be accepted and save you time by avoiding the queue to have an eye test performed at the driving licence testing centre.
What does the learner's licence test consist of?
- The test consists of questions about the rules of the road, road traffic signs, and vehicle controls.
How many questions are there in the learner's licence test?
- There are 64 questions in total to answer.
What must I take along when I go for my learner's licence test?
- Your identification document.
- The payment receipt you received when you applied.
- An issue fee of R 50 - 00 to R 250 - 00, depending on the province and town.
How long will I wait for my learner's licence after passing the test?
- Your learner's licence will be issued immediately once the relevant issue fee has been paid.
What can I do if my learner's licence gets lost or stolen?
- You can visit the nearest driving licence testing centre with your identity document and the relevant issue fee to apply for a duplicate.
