National Road Traffic Act codes · checked 30 Sep 2026
South African driving licence codes
What each code lets you drive, the minimum age, and what the old codes 8, 10 and 14 are called now. Figures are from gov.za, the RTMC and provincial transport departments.
2026 change
On 29 July 2026 Cabinet approved extending licence cards for codes A, A1, B and EB from five to ten years. Heavy codes C1, C, EC1 and EC stay at five years. It is not law yet: motorists must continue to renew expired cards until the new law takes effect.
Licence codes and what you can drive
GVM is gross vehicle mass: the vehicle and its maximum load, as shown on its licence disc.
| Code | What you can drive | Minimum age | Old code |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Motorcycle up to 125 cc | 17 (gov.za) or 16 (RTMC) | - |
| A | Motorcycle over 125 cc | 18 | - |
| B | Car, minibus, bus or goods vehicle up to 3 500 kg GVM | 18 | Code 8 |
| EB | Light vehicle towing a trailer over 750 kg | 18 | - |
| C1 | Bus, minibus or goods vehicle from 3 500 kg to 16 000 kg GVM | 18 | Code 10 |
| C | Bus, minibus or goods vehicle over 16 000 kg GVM | 18 | - |
| EC1 | C1 vehicle towing a trailer over 750 kg | 18 | - |
| EC | Articulated heavy vehicle over 16 000 kg combined mass | 18 | Code 14 |
Learner licence codes
| Code 1 | Motorcycle, motor tricycle or quadricycle | 16 years or older |
| Code 2 | Light vehicles up to 3 500 kg (leads to code B or EB) | 17 years or older |
| Code 3 | Heavy vehicles over 3 500 kg (leads to C1, C, EC1 or EC) | 18 years or older |
A learner licence is valid for 24 months, and you may only drive supervised by a licensed driver.
Licence card printing in 2025 and 2026
The national card printing machine broke down in February 2025, and the backlog of cards waiting to be printed was cleared on 9 December 2025. On 6 January 2026 the Gauteng North High Court set aside the tender for a new printing machine, and allowed the Department of Transport to have cards printed by the Department of Home Affairs in the meantime.
AARTO, the national traffic fines system, went live on 1 July 2026 in 62 local and metropolitan municipalities. The points demerit system is part of Phase 3, which has no start date yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between code 8 and code B?
Nothing: code B is the current name for what used to be code 8. The same goes for code 10 (now C1) and code 14 (now EC).
How long is a driving licence card valid?
Currently five years. Cabinet approved extending cards for codes A, A1, B and EB to ten years on 29 July 2026, but the regulation still has to be amended, so keep renewing on the current cycle until the new law takes effect.
Does an expired card mean my licence has expired?
No. According to the RTMC, when your card expires it does not mean your driving licence has expired, but you must still renew the card.
When should I renew my licence card?
Apply four weeks before the expiry date. No driving test is needed, and the new card is ready in four to six weeks. Apply online at online.natis.gov.za.
Who needs a PrDP?
Anyone who drives goods, dangerous goods or passengers for an income on a public road. The minimum age is 18 years or older for goods, 21 years or older for passengers and 25 years or older for dangerous goods; the permit is renewed on a two year cycle.
Checked 30 September 2026 against: gov.za, kzntransport.gov.za, gov.za, gov.za, capetown.gov.za, gov.za, rtmc.co.za, gov.za, gov.za, rtia.co.za, rtia.co.za, arrivealive.mobi, gov.za, westerncape.gov.za.