Are you ready to hit the road? Had enough of relying on someone else to take you places? Is it time to be your own driver? Then it’s time to get your Learners Licence.
What is a Learners Licence?
A Learners Licence is a document which testifies to your knowledge of driving theory. With your Learners Licence, you will be legally permitted to drive on public roads (but you must be accompanied by someone holding a valid Driver’s Licence, unless you are using a Learners Licence for motorcycles). It is forbidden to drive any vehicle without an appropriate licence; so to put it another way, without a Learners Licence, you won’t be able to practice for your K53 driving test. Once you pass that, your Learners Licence will be replaced by the ‘real thing.
You will not be able to apply for a driver’s licence without a Learners Licence.
The Government of South Africa defines a Learners Licence as “a permit that proves that you have basic knowledge of a motor vehicle and the rules of the road“
What are the different kinds of Learners Licence:
According to the South African government’s official website, there are three different categories of Learners Licences, with different age requirements, and depending on which kind of a vehicle you intend to drive. You must make sure to apply for the correct Learners Licence for your vehicle or else you will be wasting time and money.
The categories are as follows:
- Code 1 (also sometimes called Code A or A1): This is for Motorcycles.
- For motorcycles with or without a sidecar, motor tricycle or quadrucycle (yes, this is a real word), of up to 125cc, you must be at least 16 years old on the day of taking the Learners Licence test.
- For motorcycles over 125cc, you must be at least 17 years old on the day of taking the Learners Licence test.
- Code 2 (previously called Code B, Code EB, or Code 8):
For Light Motor Vehicles (except motorcycles), including a minibus, buses or goods vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of no more than 3,500 kg. For this licence you must be at least 17 years old on the day of taking the Learners Licence test. - Code 3 (previously called Code C, C1, EC1, EC, 10 or 14):
For all motor vehicles (except motorcycles) with a gross vehicle mass of more than 3,500kg. For this licence, you must be at least 18 years old on the day of taking the Learners Licence test.
