In South Africa, driving licenses adhere to the European unified driving license system, classified into four main categories. Familiarizing yourself with these codes is essential for legal and safe driving.
Driver’s License Codes
| Code | Vehicle Type | Description | Old Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Motorcycles | For scooters, tricycles, and quadricycles above 125 cc. | 02, 03, 016 |
| A1 | Motorcycles | For electronic cars or motorcycles with an engine < 125 cc. | 01 |
| B | Light Motor Vehicles | Authorizes driving goods vehicles, mini-buses, or special cars with GVM < 3,500 kg (trailer < 750 kg GMV). | 08 |
| B5 | Light Motor Vehicles | For operating tractors with no mass limit. | 05 |
| B7 | Light Motor Vehicles | Authorizes operating mobile machinery without a mass limit. | 07 |
| C | Heavy Motor Vehicles | Permits driving vehicles in Code B and goods vehicles, buses, or special cars with 3,500 < GVM < 16,000 kg (trailer < 750 kg GMV). | 11 |
| C1 | Heavy Motor Vehicles | Allows driving vehicles in Code B and goods vehicles, buses, or special cars with 3,500 < GVM < 16,000 kg (trailer < 750 kg GMV). | 10 |
| C14 | Heavy Motor Vehicles | Authorizes driving buses with GVM > 16,000 kg. | 10 |
| EB | Combinations of Vehicles | Allows driving vehicles in Code B and articulated vehicles with GCM < 3,500 kg and a rigid vehicle with GVM < 3,500 kg while drawing a trailer > 750 kg GMV. | 8 |
| EC1 | Combinations of Vehicles | Permits driving vehicles in Code B, C1, and EB, operating articulated vehicles with GCM < 16,000 kg, and driving a rigid vehicle with 3,500 < GVM < 16,000 kg while pulling a trailer > 750 kg GMV. | 09, 10 |
| EC | Combinations of Vehicles | Authorizes driving vehicles in Code B, C1, C, EB, and EC1, operating articulated vehicles with GCM > 16,000 kg, and driving a rigid vehicle with GVM > 16,000 kg while pulling a trailer > 750 kg GMV. | 11, 13, 14 |
Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) Categories
For operating vehicles for income, a PrDP is required, categorized as follows:
| Group | Description |
|---|---|
| G | Authorizes driving goods vehicles (non-dangerous goods) and breakdown vehicles. |
| P | Allows operating Group G vehicles, driving buses (12 passengers or less), taxis, and any other car with up to 12 passengers. |
| D | Permits driving Group P and G vehicles and cars carrying dangerous goods. |
Learners Driving License Categories
For learners, licenses are categorized into three groups:
| Group | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Authorizes driving motorcycles. |
| 2 | Allows operating light motor vehicles of up to 3,500 GVM. |
| 3 | Permits operating heavy motor vehicles. |
Driver’s License Age Limits in SA
Understanding the age limits for different types of vehicles is crucial:
| Age | Type of Vehicle |
|---|---|
| 16 | Motorcycle up to 125 cc. |
| 18 | Motorcycle above 125 cc. |
| 17 | Learner’s license for light vehicles (code 2). |
| 18 | PrDP to carry goods only (G). |
| 21 | PrDP to carry passengers (P). |
| 25 | PrDP to carry dangerous goods (D). |
| 18 | All other driver’s licenses. |
Additional Information
Different Codes on a Driving License
Explaining the new and old codes:
| New Code | Car Type | Description | Old Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Cycles | Motorcycles up to 125 cc without a sidecar (Code 01). | 01 |
| A1 | Cycles | Electrically powered cars (Code 06). | 06 |
| A1 | Cycles | Motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles above 125 cc without a sidecar (Code 02, 03, and 016). | 02, 03, 016 |
| B | Lightweight vehicles | Goods vehicles (non-articulated) and buses up to 3,500 GMV (trailer up to 750 kg GMV), motor cars, motor homes, or special cars up to 3,500 kg tares (trailer up to 750 kg GMV) (Code 08). | 08 |
| B5 | Lightweight vehicles | Tractor (without mass limit) (Code 05). | 05 |
| B7 | Lightweight vehicles | Mobile machinery (without mass limit) (Code 07). | 07 |
| C1 | Heavy motor vehicles | Goods vehicles and buses with 3,500 to 16,000 GMV (trailer up to 750 kg GMV), motor cars, motor homes, or special cars with 3,500 to 16,000 tares (trailer up to 750 kg GMV) (Code 10). | 10 |
| C14 | Heavy motor vehicles | Buses above 16,000 GMV (Code 10). | 10 |
| C | Heavy motor vehicles | Goods vehicles and buses above 16,000 GMV (trailer up to 750 kg GMV), motor cars, motor homes, or special cars above 16,000 tares (trailer up to 750 kg GMV) (Code 11). | 11 |
| EB | Combinations of vehicles | Articulated vehicle up to 3,500 GCM, rigid vehicle up to 3,500 GMV (trailer up to 750 kg GMV) (Code 8). | 8 |
| EC1 | Combinations of vehicles | Articulated vehicle up to 16,000 GCM, rigid vehicle with 3,500 to 16,000 GMV (trailer above 750 kg GMV) (Code 09, 10). | 09, 10 |
| EC | Combinations of vehicles | Articulated vehicle above 16,000 GCM, rigid vehicle above 16,000 GMV (trailer above 750 kg GMV) (Code 11, 13, and 14). | 11, 13, 14 |
License for Automatic Cars
There is no specific automatic license code in South Africa. Passing a manual vehicle driving test allows driving both manual and automatic vehicles. Failing the manual car test results in an automatic vehicle restriction on the license, prohibiting driving manual vehicles.
Conclusion
Understanding South Africa’s driver’s license codes is crucial for safe and legal driving. The detailed breakdown of categories, subcategories, and age limits provides valuable information for individuals seeking clarity on driving license classifications.