How can a foreigner get a driver’s license in South Africa?

If you are a foreigner and want to obtain your Driver’s License in South Africa, you can do so by registering at the nearest Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC). Firstly, you will need to do a learner’s License test and then a driver’s License test.

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

Code A1: This is for a motorcycle with or without a sidecar and an engine not exceeding 125 cc. You must be at least 17 years old on the test date.
Code A: This is for a motorcycle with or without a sidecar and an engine exceeding 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:
- An 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 (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 (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.

All South African driving license codes are grouped into four major categories:

Code A driver’s license – for motorcycles.
Code B driver’s license – light motor vehicles.
Code C driver’s license – heavy motor vehicles.
Code D driver’s license – combination and articulated vehicles.

How To Renew Your Driver’s License In South Africa

Legal Compliance:
Valid Proof of Identity:
Road Safety and Competence:
Personal and Insurance Purposes:
Keeping up with Changes:
Step 1: Determine the Renewal Period.
Step 2: Gather the Required Documents.
Step 3: Book an Appointment (Optional)

What to do when a driver’s license is about to expire

The first step is to renew your license online through the NaTIS website, to walk in for a renewal if you are over 60, or to go to one of the two RMTCs that accept walk-ins.

A license holder must renew their driver’s license four weeks before it expires. If a driver’s license is not renewed within four weeks of its expiration date, the holder must obtain a temporary driver’s license.

A temporary license costs R54.00 and R94.00 and is only valid for one year. A provisional license is issued at the driving license testing centre.

Before renewing a driver’s license, you must list what you must bring. Here is a list of documents and information for renewing a driver’s license.