Understanding Driving License Codes in South Africa

In South Africa, driving licenses are classified based on the European unified driving license system. There are four main categories of driver’s license codes, each serving a specific purpose. Understanding these codes is essential for legal and safe driving.

Driver’s License Codes

A — Motorcycles

• Code A1: For electronic cars or motorcycles with an engine capacity of less than 125 cc.
• Code A: For scooters, tricycles, and quadricycles above 125 cc, including speed bikes, cruisers, choppers, and touring bikes without a sidecar.

B — Light Motor Vehicles

• Code B: Authorizes driving goods vehicles, mini-buses, buses, or special cars (e.g., ambulance and fire-fighting vehicles) with less than 3,500 kg GVM (gross vehicle mass). Also allows pulling a light trailer of less than 750 kg GVM.
• Code B5: For operating tractors, with no mass limit.
• Code B7: Authorizes operating mobile machinery (e.g., forklifts and earthmoving machinery) with no weight limit.

C — Heavy Motor Vehicles

• Code C1: Permits driving vehicles in Code B and goods vehicles, mini-buses, buses, or special cars with GVM between 3,500 to 16,000 kg. Allows pulling a light trailer of less than 750 kg GVM.
• Code C14: Allows operating buses with more than 16,000 kg GVM.
• Code C: Authorizes driving vehicles in Code B and C1, as well as goods vehicles, mini-buses, buses, or special cars with over 16,000 kg tares. Allows pulling a light trailer of less than 750 kg GVM.

E — Combinations and Articulated Vehicles

• Code EB: Authorizes driving vehicles in Code B and articulated vehicles with up to 3,500 kg GCM (gross mass combination) and a rigid vehicle with up to 3,500 kg GVM, while drawing a trailer above 750 kg GVM.
• Code EC1: Allows driving vehicles in Code B, C1, and EB, operating articulated vehicles with up to 16,000 kg GCM, and driving a rigid vehicle with GVM between 3,500 to 16,000 kg while pulling a trailer above 750 kg GVM.
• Code EC: Authorizes driving vehicles in Code B, C1, C, EB, and EC1, operating articulated vehicles with above 16,000 kg GCM, and driving a rigid vehicle above 16,000 kg GVM while pulling a trailer above 750 kg GVM.

Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) Categories

For operating vehicles for income, a PrDP is required, categorized as follows:

• Group G: Authorizes driving goods vehicles (non-dangerous goods) and breakdown vehicles.
• Group P: Allows operating Group G vehicles, driving buses (12 passengers or less), taxis, and any other car with up to 12 passengers.
• Group 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 1: Authorizes driving motorcycles.
• Group 2: Allows operating light motor vehicles of up to 3,500 GVM.
• Group 3: Permits operating heavy motor vehicles.

Driver’s License Age Limits in SA

Understanding the age limits for different types of vehicles is crucial:

• 16 years: Motorcycle up to 125 cc.
• 18 years: Motorcycle above 125 cc.
• 17 years: Learner’s license for light vehicles (code 2).
• 18 years: PrDP to carry goods only (G).
• 21 years: PrDP to carry passengers (P).
• 25 years: PrDP to carry dangerous goods (D).
• 18 years: All other driver’s licenses.

Additional Information

Different Codes on a Driving License

Explaining the new and old codes:

• New Code A1: Motorcycles up to 125 cc without a sidecar (Code 01).
• New Code A1: Electrically powered cars (Code 06).
• New Code A: Motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles above 125 cc without a sidecar (Code 02, 03, and 016).
• New Code B: 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).
• New Code B5: Tractor (without mass limit) (Code 05).
• New Code B7: Mobile machinery (without mass limit) (Code 07).
• New Code C1: 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).
• New Code C14: Buses above 16,000 GMV (Code 10).
• New Code C: 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).
• New Code EB: Articulated vehicle up to 3,500 GCM, rigid vehicle up to 3,500 GMV (trailer up to 750 kg GMV) (Code 8).
• New Code EC1: Articulated vehicle up to 16,000 GCM, rigid vehicle with 3,500 to 16,000 GMV (trailer above 750 kg GMV) (Code 09, 10).
• New Code EC: Articulated vehicle above 16,000 GCM, rigid vehicle above 16,000 GMV (trailer above 750 kg GMV) (Code 11, 13, and 14).

Automatic Cars in South Africa

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 test results in an automatic vehicle restriction on the license, prohibiting the operation of manual vehicles.

Code B Driver’s License

Code B, formerly known as code 8, is the most common driver’s license in SA. It authorizes driving goods vehicles, mini-buses, buses, or special cars with less than 3,500 kg GVM. The vehicle can pull a light trailer of less than 750 kg GVM. A learner’s license and an age of 18 or older are prerequisites for the code B driver’s license test.

Code 10 Driver’s License

The code 10 driver’s license no longer exists in South Africa. It was split into codes C1 and C14. Code C1 permits driving vehicles in code B, while code C14 allows operating buses with more than 16,000 kg GVM.

Conclusion

Driver’s license codes play a crucial role in indicating the limitations and restrictions a driver has on the road. Understanding these codes is essential for safe and legal driving in South Africa.