How much you need for a driver’s licence in SA

Young South Africans are scrambling to find driving job opportunities, and a driver’s licence is the first essential step.

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TYPES OF DRIVER’S LICENCES

A driver’s licence is often the great escape out of poverty in this country. As millions of young South Africans dream of taxi driving and goods/service delivery careers every day, the dream is empty and futile without a driver’s licence.

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Firstly, you need to note there are a total of eight types of driver’s licences, according to our local government.

• Code A1: This relates to a motorbike with or without a sidecar and with an engine not bigger 125 cc, and the age requirement is at least 17 years old on the date of the test.
• Code A: This is for motorcycle with or without a sidecar and with an engine that weighs more than 125 cc. The age requirement is 18 years.
• Code B: This code is for motor vehicles, including minibuses, buses and goods vehicles that are smaller than 3 500 kg – with an age requirement of 18 years or older to apply.
• Code C1: This is for a motor vehicle, a bus, minibus or goods vehicle that is sized 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 that is bigger than 16 000 kg.
• Code EB: This is for a light motor vehicle that is articulated (light motor vehicle pulling a trailer) with a gross combination mass not exceeding 3,500 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply a 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.

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• Code EC1: This is for articulated heavy motor vehicles (heavy motor vehicles pulling trailers) 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 (heavy motor vehicle pulling 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.

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THE AVERAGE TOTAL COSTS A DRIVER’S LICENCE

So you’ve successfully passed your learner’s licence. How do you start your financial plan for a driver’s licence?

• Please note: The figures below are based on average amounts between the most expensive and cheapest fees from municipalities across South Africa.

• Average price to book a driver’s licence test at your local traffic department: R 120
• Average price for 10 driving lessons at a driving school: R1 000
• Average price for two ID photos: R 100
• Average price to book a car for the driving test: R 500
• Average price for a driver’s licence card after passing the test: R 150.

Total average cost: R 1870.

To be on the secure side, you need to organise around R2 000.