Apply for a driving licence

About applying for a driving licence

You need a driving licence to drive legally on South African roads. Before applying for a driving licence, you must have a learner's licence.

Different licences are issued for the various categories of motor vehicle:

• Code A1: This is for a motor cycle with or without a sidecar and with an engine not exceeding 125 cc. You must be at least 17 years old on the date of the test.
• Code A: This is for a motor cycle with or without a sidecar and with an engine that exceeds 125 cc. You must be 18 years or older to apply.
• Code B: This is for a motor vehicle, including a minibus, bus and goods vehicle, with a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3 500 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.
• Code C1: This is for a motor vehicle, a bus, minibus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.
• Code C: This is for a motor vehicle, a bus or a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 16 000 kg. 
• Code EB: This is for a:
  • light motor vehicle that is articulated (light motor vehicle drawing a trailer) with a gross combination mass not exceeding 3 500 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply
  • combination of a motor vehicle with a tare not exceeding 3 500 kg and a minibus, bus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3 500 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply. 
• Code EC1: This is for:
  • an articulated heavy motor vehicle (heavy motor vehicle drawing a trailer[s]) with a  gross combination mass between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.
  • a combination of a motor vehicle with a tare between 3 500 kg and 16 500 kg and a minibus, midibus, bus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.
• Code EC: This is for an articulated heavy motor vehicle (heavy motor vehicle drawing a trailer[s]) with a gross combination mass exceeding 16 000 kg or a combination of a bus or goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply.