Risk Control Standards Element No.

: MF04
Revision No.: 1
Motor Fleet Revision Date: 2017
Page 1 of 5
Driving Licences Approved By: Marsh Risk Control Committee

1. Legislative Requirements for Driving Licences

Chapter IV of the National Road Traffic Act 1996 sections 8 to 36 relate to Driving Licences.

2. The Legal Responsibility

The law requires anyone wishing to drive a motor vehicle on a public road to hold and carry with
him/her a valid licence entitling him/her to drive a relevant class of vehicle. It is also an offence for
a licence holder to allow someone else the use of his/her licence. Furthermore, it is illegal to
employ or permit any unlicensed or improperly licensed person to drive on a public road.
*In the event of the licences being lost or misplaced, the driver must obtain a temporary licence
while a new application is processed.

3. The Driving Licence System

A totally new driving licence system was introduced in South Africa on 1 March 1998. Since then,
all drivers obtaining their licence for the first time have been issued with the new card format. All
drivers’ licences must now be in the new card format.

4. The Card

Compliance with the legal obligation to keep the licence on hand whilst driving, is made easier
with the new format which also incorporates security features making forgery difficult, combating
the unacceptable level of fraudulent licences in South Africa. The card is valid for a period of five
years, after which the individual must obtain a new card licence.

5. The Professional Driving Permit (PrDP)

Drivers of the following must have professional driving permits appropriately endorsed on the
bottom right corner of the face of the new licence:

- Heavy goods vehicles (above 3 500kg GVM)

- Breakdown vehicles
- Buses
- Mini-buses, designed to seat more than 12 including the driver
- Any vehicle that is carrying more than 12 including the driver
- Taxis or any vehicle used to carry passengers (eg an ambulance).

Along with the PrDP expiry date, up to three categories of permits may be signified on the licence.

Symbol Authorises the driving of:

G Goods vehicles and breakdown vehicles

P Vehicles carrying passengers
D Dangerous goods vehicles

Unlike the public driving permit, which it replaced, the need for PrDPs is not restricted to the
drivers of public carrier vehicles. It is needed whether or not the vehicle is carrying for reward.
Drivers of private carrier vehicles are not exempt. Even previously exempt drivers employed by
local authorities are affected and ambulance drivers, too, if carrying paying passengers. The
requirement also applies to a truck salesman, diesel mechanic or anyone else, even if he/she is
merely delivering a vehicle or taking it for a test drive.

A truck or bus driving instructor also needs a PrDP. Of particular note is that a PrDP is also
needed to drive any vehicle which is carrying more than 12 people at a time. This would include
LDV’s. Drivers resident in neighbouring countries are not exempt.
 Risk Control Standards Element No.: MF04
Revision No.: 1
Motor Fleet Revision Date: 2017
Page 2 of 5
Driving Licences Approved By: Marsh Risk Control Committee

Period of Validity
A professional driving permit is valid for two years with a further 21 days period of grace after the
expiry date.

6. Licence Codes and Vehicle Classes

Agreement has been reached with all Southern African Development Community (SADC)
countries for the new system, which includes a completely overhauled coding scheme, to be
uniform throughout the region. The old South African System of vehicle groups has been
abandoned in favour of the new licensing scheme. However, all existing entitlements to drive are
maintained so that no existing licence holder is deprived of his rights to drive particular vehicles,
either now or in the future.

The new system comprises the following four main groups.

Group Vehicle
A Motor Cycle
B Light Motor Vehicle (up to 3,500kg GVM)
C Heavy Motor Vehicle
E Combinations including articulated vehicles

As with the old system, codes in each group are allocated to the GVM or GCM of a vehicle
(please refer to the table below). However, the new system makes a distinction between rigid
vehicles and rigid vehicles pulling trailers above 750kg GVM.

The holder of a licence to drive a particular class of vehicle is not authorised to drive any other,
except where other codes have been indicated in the table. Reference to the last column enables
the comparison of old codes against the new codes against the new vehicle categories.

New Class of Vehicle PrDP Also Old Code

Code needed authorised Equivalent
A1 Motor Cycles up to 125cc with or without side car No 01
Electrically powered vehicle No 06
A Motor Cycle above 125cc with or without side car No A1 02, 03, 04
and 15
B Light Motor Vehicle not articulated:
(a) goods vehicle or mini-bus up to 3,500kg GVM
(b) Motor car or special vehicles like fire engines,
ambulances etc up to 3 500kg tare with or without a
light trailer up to 750kg GVM
C1 Heavy Motor Vehicle not articulated: Yes B See code
(a) goods vehicle or bus above 3,500kg up to EC1
16,000kg GVM
(b) special vehicles like fire engines, ambulances
etc above 3,500kg up to 16,000 tare
C Extra Heavy Motor Vehicle not articulated: Yes B & C1 See code EC
(a) goods vehicle or bus above 16,000kg GVM
(b) Special Vehicles like Fire Engines, ambulances
etc above 16,000kg tare with or without a light trailer
up to 750kg GVM
EB Combination: B 08
(a) articulated vehicle up to 3 500kg GCM
(b) other vehicle up to 3,500kg GVM
pulling a trailer (above 750kg GVM)
EC Combination: Yes B, C1 09 & 10
(a) articulated vehicle above 3,500kg up to & EB issued after
16,000kg GCM 1985
(b) other vehicle above 3,500kg up to 16 000kg
GVM pulling a trailer (above 750kg GVM)
 Risk Control Standards Element No.: MF04
Revision No.: 1
Motor Fleet Revision Date: 2017
Page 3 of 5
Driving Licences Approved By: Marsh Risk Control Committee

New Class of Vehicle PrDP Also Old Code

Code needed authorised Equivalent
EC Combinations: Yes B, C1, 10 issued
(a) articulated vehicle above 16,000kg GCM EB & prior to 1986,
(b) other vehicle above 16,000kg EC1 11, 13 & 14
GCM pulling a trailer (above 750kg GVM)

7. Temporary Driving Licence

While a qualified driver is awaiting the production of his/her licence card or where his/her licence
has been lost, destroyed or stolen, he/she can obtain a temporary licence from a testing centre.
The licence is valid only until he/she receives an official licence, and can be used for this purpose
for up to six months. An affidavit, obtainable from the police or a testing centre, confirming the
loss, theft or destruction of a licence excuses the carrying of a licence for a maximum period of
three days.

8. Forged and False Driving Licences

8.1 It is known that a large number of forged and false driving licences are in circulation. This
does not mean that the licence is illegal.

8.2 Apart from being a legal requirement, it is a condition of a motor insurance policy that the
driver holds a valid licence to drive otherwise, in the event of a claim following an
accident, grounds for repudiating the claim by insurers could exist.

Possession of a forged driving licence means that the driver is unlicensed but the
following undertaking has been obtained from insurers.

"If a driver's licence turns out to be forged, the policy will not be prejudiced provided the
insured has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the driver had a licence. Should it be
shown that the insured had never asked the driver concerned to produce his licence and it
is subsequently shown to be forged, then there will be no insurance cover.

Similarly if the employee produced a licence which was not a valid South African licence
and no further enquiries were made, no cover will apply.”

The importance of checking driving licences can be appreciated in the light of this
undertaking and the procedures set out in the Act.

9. Regular Inspection of Driving Licences

9.1 It is essential that all driving licences are inspected on employment and thereafter every
six months, with any apparent irregularity being investigated to a satisfactory conclusion.

9.2 Photostat copies of all driving licences must be held on file. The purpose is to ensure that
a record is kept for reference purposes.

NB An enquiry at a local licensing office annually giving the licence details will result, on
application, in the provision of a computer print-out of the licence status.

9.3 It is emphasised that the licences of all persons likely to drive company transport must be
checked. This would include, for example, the wives of drivers of the allocated motor cars.
 Risk Control Standards Element No.: MF04
Revision No.: 1
Motor Fleet Revision Date: 2017
Page 4 of 5
Driving Licences Approved By: Marsh Risk Control Committee

10. Checking the Validity of a Driving Licence

The following mechanism exists for checking driving licences.

Enquiries for all persons should be addressed to: Department of Transport and Public Works,
Motor Vehicle Verification Department, Private Bag X64, Pretoria 0001.

It is suggested that employers should submit complete lists detailing the full names of all
employees, their existing licence numbers and ID numbers.

Checking of individual licences may also be done by facsimile using a form such as the one
below. Telephonic queries should not be made.

Possession of a valid licence is not a positive assurance of competence. Prior to engaging a

driver a thorough vetting should be undertaken.

TO THE DRIVING LICENCE SECTION

FAX No (012) 303-2970 DATE:
FROM:
RE: MOTOR VEHICLE LICENCE VERIFICATION:
Please advise the following driving licence details:
Driver: ID No:
In replying, please indicate the following: LICENCE VALID? YES/NO
Date of issue: Code of licence: Endorsements:
Thanking you for your assistance

In other South African Provinces, a similar contact point should be sought to verify the validity of
driving licences. Where the relevant Provincial authorities are unable to provide this verification
service, there are any number of private investigative firms available who currently conduct HR
screening, including the verification of the validity of driving licences. The Risk Control
Consultants can assist in providing contact details for such firms.

11. Responsibilities

Both driver and employer must know their respective responsibilities. Knowledge of relevant
legislation is, therefore, a pre-requisite. Under Section 31 of the Act it is an offence to employ or
permit any person to drive a vehicle on a public road without a valid and appropriate licence. It is
also an offence, for a licence holder to allow someone else to use his licence.

In a prosecution relating to the driving of a vehicle, it is presumed (section 73), unless proved to
the contrary, that the owner or operator drove the vehicle. It is recommended that addresses of
personnel driving company vehicles be regularly verified to preclude such situations arising.

12. Visitors

Persons resident outside South Africa are permitted to drive in this country under the authority of
a domestic licence issued in another country, providing it has a photograph and signature of the
holder. However, if it is in a foreign language, a certificate of authenticity or translation must be
attached.
 Risk Control Standards Element No.: MF04
Revision No.: 1
Motor Fleet Revision Date: 2017
Page 5 of 5
Driving Licences Approved By: Marsh Risk Control Committee

13. Persons Taking up Residence in South Africa

Persons entering the country to take up permanent residence may use their existing National
licence for six months only, during which time they must apply for a South African licence. If the
existing licence is a provisional or learner's, however, the holder is required to take a South
African test.

14. International Driving Permit

A holder of an international driving permit (issued while he/she was a non-resident of this country)
may, during the currency of the permit or within six months of its expiry, apply for a South African
licence, if he/she is in possession of, or in the process of obtaining, a South African ID document.

To drive in countries where a South African licence is not accepted, an international driving
licence is required. This can be obtained from the Automobile Association. Holders of South
African licences visiting the neighbouring states or the United Kingdom do not require an
international driving licence.

15. Change of Address

Section 22 of the Identification Act, 1986 requires licence holders who have changed their place of
residence permanently to notify the Director General of Home Affairs of the change within 14
days.

Abeyance Item
16. AARTO

Legislation is in place that will impact negatively on a company if they do not have in place a
system on how they will:
- Verify status of a driver’s demerit points
- Re-direct infringements and offences by the driver
- Monitor who is driving company vehicles – particularly pool cars
- Ensure that vehicles are at all times compliant with the relevant sections of the Act.