SOUTH AFRICA · LICENCE JOURNEY

Driver’s Licence Guide

From your first visit to the Driving Licence Testing Centre to the day your licence card arrives, understand the learner’s test, practical test, licence codes, renewal, costs, and documents you need.

Start with the requirements Download LL1 Form

SEE IT · THINK IT · DRIVE IT

Step one

Learner’s Licence Requirements

Before you can take the learner’s licence test, you must meet the age, identification, eyesight, and application requirements for the code you want. The exact documents and fee are confirmed by your local Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC).

Code 1 / A1 16

Small motorcycle

Motorcycles up to 125 cc. A motorcycle over 125 cc requires the higher minimum age set for that class.

Code 2 / B 17

Light motor vehicle

Motor vehicles with a gross vehicle mass up to 3 500 kg.

Code 3 18

Heavy motor vehicle

Motor vehicles with a gross vehicle mass over 3 500 kg.

Identity document

Bring acceptable identification. South African applicants generally use an official ID book, smart ID card, or valid South African passport. Foreign nationals must confirm the acceptable passport and residence documents with the DLTC before booking.

Eye test

Your eyesight is tested at the DLTC, or you may be able to bring a report from a qualified optometrist. Bring your glasses or contact lenses; any driving restriction is recorded if you qualify with correction.

Photographs and proof of address

Take recent ID-sized photographs and proof of residential address when your centre requires them. Requirements and the number of photographs can differ by province or transaction.

Application and test fees

Fees are set locally and can change. Ask the DLTC for the current application, test, and issue fees before you travel; do not rely on an old online price list.

Bring the original documents. A photocopy or an old fee figure may not be accepted. Use the appointment instructions from your DLTC or the official NaTIS service as the final checklist.
Download the supplied LL1 learner’s licence form

The downloadable LL1 is the supplied form copy. Confirm that your DLTC accepts the edition currently available from NaTIS before completing it.

Prepare once

How to Apply for a Learner’s Licence

01

Book your appointment

Start with your nearest Driving Licence Testing Centre. Where online booking is available, follow Book a test and use the official NaTIS online service; otherwise contact or visit the centre.

02

Gather your documents

Prepare your original identity document, recent photographs, proof of address if required, the applicable fee, and any appointment receipt. Complete the LL1 application supplied by the DLTC or current NaTIS source.

03

Complete the eye test

The testing centre checks your vision before the theory test. A current optometrist report may be accepted; confirm this when you book.

04

Write the theory test

Study South African road signs, rules of the road, and vehicle controls. The exact question count and pass mark must be confirmed with the current test instructions for your centre and code.

05

Receive your learner’s licence

If you pass and pay the issue fee, the learner’s licence is generally issued through the testing centre. The learner’s licence is valid for 24 months and cannot be extended; confirm the dates printed on yours.

About the learner’s test structure

Public advice does not always show the same question counts. The supplied 2026 K53 guide describes 64 questions: 28 Rules of the Road, 28 Road Signs, Signals and Markings, and 8 Vehicle Controls, with section pass marks of 22, 23, and 6 respectively. Treat those figures as study-guide information and verify the current structure at your DLTC.

Step two

The K53 Driving Test

Once you hold a learner’s licence, you can book the practical driving test at a DLTC. The test has two connected parts: a controlled yard test and a road test. Your vehicle must be suitable, licensed, and roadworthy for the test.

01

Yard Test

The examiner checks whether you can control the vehicle safely before you enter public roads.

  • Pre-trip safety inspection: lights, tyres, fluids, and controls.
  • Alley docking or reversing into a marked bay.
  • Parallel parking.
  • Three-point turn or turn in the road.
  • Starting on an incline using the correct observation and control routine.
02

Road Test

The examiner accompanies you on public roads and assesses your observation, decisions, control, and courtesy in real traffic.

  • Moving off and stopping correctly.
  • Mirror use, observation, and blind-spot checks at each manoeuvre.
  • Correct road position and lane discipline. South Africa keeps left.
  • Obeying signs, signals, and road markings.
  • Safe following distance and speed management.
  • Turning, lane changing, and interacting with pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

Booking checklist

Confirm each item with your Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) before you travel.

  • Valid learner’s licence for the code you will test.
  • Acceptable original identification.
  • Booking confirmation or appointment details.
  • A suitable, licensed, roadworthy vehicle for that test.
  • Eye test or optometrist report if the centre still requires it.
  • The current test and issue fees, confirmed locally.
  • Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive.
Safety comes first. The examiner uses a score sheet. Serious unsafe actions can cause an immediate failure, including disobeying a red light or stop sign, causing an avoidable collision, or requiring examiner intervention. The current test standard and score sheet control the result.

Choose the right code

Licence Code Conversion Table

South Africa uses letter-based licence codes, while older documents and everyday conversation often use numbered codes. This table is a common reference only: check the code and entitlements printed on your licence or confirmed by the DLTC.

Old code New code Vehicle type Weight / size Includes Minimum age
Code 1 A1 Light motorcycles Up to 125 cc — 16 learner / 17 licence
Code 2 A All motorcycles Any engine size A1 18
Code 7 B Light motor vehicles GVM up to 3 500 kg; trailer up to 750 kg — 17 learner / 18 licence
Code 8 EB Light vehicle + heavy trailer GVM up to 3 500 kg; trailer over 750 kg B 18
Code 10 C1 Medium-heavy vehicles GVM 3 501–16 000 kg B 18
Code 11 EC1 Medium articulated vehicles GCM 3 501–16 000 kg B, EB, C1 18
Code 13 C Heavy rigid vehicles GVM over 16 000 kg B, C1 18
Code 14 EC Heavy articulated vehicles GCM over 16 000 kg All except A codes 18

Learner’s licence codes

  • Code 1: motorcycles, leading to motorcycle licence classes.
  • Code 2: light motor vehicles up to 3 500 kg.
  • Code 3: motor vehicles over 3 500 kg, except motorcycles.

Higher-code applications

Higher vehicle classes can require a prerequisite licence. Confirm the required lower code and any professional endorsement before booking. An old-format licence should be checked with the DLTC before conversion or replacement.

Driving for income

Professional Driving Permit

If you drive for income, you may need a Professional Driving Permit in addition to the correct driving licence code. A Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) is an endorsement/permit connected to your driving authority; it is not a replacement for an ordinary driving licence.

G

Goods

Goods vehicles over 3 500 kg GVM and other categories set by the current rules. Minimum age: 18.

P

Passengers

Passenger transport and qualifying public-transport vehicles. Minimum age: 21.

D

Dangerous goods

Vehicles transporting dangerous goods. Minimum age: 25, with approved training requirements.

The official requirements can include a valid matching driving licence, medical fitness, criminal-record checks, and approved training for dangerous goods. Check the current category rules before applying.

Plan your visit

Costs and Fees

There is no single national price list for every DLTC transaction. Fees are set by the relevant province or local authority and may change, so confirm the full amount before your appointment.

Learner’s licence application and testLocal tariff
Learner’s licence issue after passingLocal tariff
Driving test and retestLocal tariff
Driving licence card issue or renewalLocal tariff
Temporary driving licenceAdditional fee where required
Eye test or related serviceAsk the DLTC

Keep it current

How to Renew Your Driver’s Licence

Check the expiry date on your card. Driving licence cards currently follow the five-year renewal cycle. Proposed changes should not be treated as law until the regulations take effect.

Start the renewal process at least four weeks before the card expires. If it has already expired, ask about a temporary driving licence before driving while the replacement card is processed.

Documents required

  • South African ID, valid passport, or other accepted identification and a copy.
  • Your current or expired driving licence card.
  • Recent ID photographs; confirm the number with your DLTC.
  • Proof of address where required by the centre.
  • The applicable renewal fee.

Step-by-step process

  1. Book online where available or contact your local DLTC.
  2. Complete DL1 and any change-of-particulars form requested.
  3. Complete the eye test and fingerprint scan.
  4. Pay the renewal and any temporary-licence fee.
  5. Wait for the card-production notification, then collect it with your ID and proof of payment.
Allow for processing time. Government guidance commonly gives four to six weeks for a new card, but production and collection times vary. Use the official status or contact channel provided by your DLTC rather than relying on an old tracking number.

If something goes wrong

Expired, Lost, or Stolen Licence

If your licence has expired

Use the renewal process and ask the DLTC whether you need a temporary driving licence. Do not drive on an expired card alone while waiting for the replacement.

If your licence is lost or stolen

Report the loss or theft to SAPS and obtain an affidavit or reference document. Take it, your identification, photographs, and the other requested documents to the DLTC.

The temporary-licence period and fee are set by the applicable transaction rules. Confirm both with your DLTC before driving.

Moving to South Africa

Converting a Foreign Driver’s Licence

If you hold a valid foreign driving licence or international driving permit and have become a South African permanent resident, ask NaTIS about conversion as soon as possible. Current NaTIS guidance describes a one-year period after permanent residence for eligible conversions.

01

Check eligibility

The licence must be valid, and the issuing country and your residency status must meet the current rules.

02

Prepare proof

Take the foreign licence, South African ID or permanent-residence proof, passport, and the required photographs.

03

Translate and confirm

Arrange an accepted translation where needed and obtain confirmation from the issuing authority if NaTIS requests it.

04

Apply at the testing centre

Complete DL1, complete the eye test, and follow the testing centre’s instructions. A test may be required in some cases.

Official starting points

Check the current rule before you go.

South African Government: learner’s licence South African Government: driving licence South African Government: renew a licence South African Government: Professional Driving Permit Book a test on NaTIS NaTIS online services NaTIS road-traffic forms
Download LL1 Form