Apply for a learner’s licence

If you hold a learner’s licence you are allowed to drive only when you are supervised by a licensed driver. If the category of vehicle you are driving requires a professional driving permit, the licensed driver must also hold a professional driving permit. A learner’s licence is a permit that proves that you have basic knowledge of a motor vehicle and the rules of the road. The learner’s licence is valid for 24 months and cannot be extended.

Applying for a Learner’s Licence is the essential first step towards getting your official driver’s licence in South Africa. It proves you have basic knowledge of road rules, signs, and vehicle controls.

Determine Your Learner’s Licence Code

The code you apply for depends on the type of vehicle you intend to drive and your age.

Learner’s Licence Code	Vehicle Type	Minimum Age Required (on day of test)
Code 1 (A1)	Motorcycle $\le$ 125 cc	16 years old
Code 1 (A)	Motorcycle $>$ 125 cc	18 years old
Code 2 (B)	Light motor vehicles (cars, minibus, goods vehicle $\le$ 3,500 kg GVM)	17 years old
Code 3 (C)	Heavy motor vehicles (trucks, buses $>$ 3,500 kg GVM)	18 years old

Required Documents

You must bring the following documents to the Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) when you go to book your test.

Go to the nearest driving licensing testing centre (DLTC) to book a test date and confirm the booking.
Take the following with you:
- an identity document (ID)
- two identical black-and-white ID photographs (before you have photographs taken you should confirm with the DLTC how many photos they require)
- a booking fee.
- Proof of postal and residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the of owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- If you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your postal and residential address
All Gauteng residents should apply online for their learners licence: https://online.natis.gov.za/#/
Complete the Application for learner’s licence form (LL1), which is available at the DLTC. If you are 65 years or older, you must also complete a Medical certificate form (MC), which is also available at the DLTC.

Book Your Test Date

This step is typically done in person, though some provinces (like Gauteng) allow online booking via the NaTIS online booking system.

Visit the DLTC: Go to your nearest Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC).
Pay Booking Fee: Pay the prescribed booking fee and receive a receipt. This receipt confirms your official test date and time (which can often be weeks or months later).
Complete Form: You will complete the Application for Learner’s Licence form (LL1), which is provided at the centre.
Eye Test: You will undergo an eye test at the centre, or you can present a valid eye test certificate from a qualified optometrist (not older than 3 months).

Study and Prepare

You must study and understand the road rules, traffic signs, and vehicle controls based on the K53 manual for the code you are applying for. Failure to pass the written test means you must repeat the entire booking process and wait for a new date.

Write the Learner’s Licence Test

On the day of the test:

Arrive Early: Be at the DLTC on time with your ID document and your booking receipt.
Write the Test: The test is a theoretical, written or computer-based exam.
Pay Issue Fee: If you pass the test, you will immediately pay the issue fee (Varies, usually R30 – R60).
Receive Licence: Your official Learner’s Licence will be issued on the same day.

Your Learner’s Licence is valid for 24 months and cannot be extended. You may now drive the corresponding vehicle, but you must always be accompanied by a person who holds a valid full driver’s licence for that code (this supervision rule does not apply to Code 1 motorcycle learners).

Related Services

Check out more service that Related to him