To become a driver, you need to have all the driver’s licence codes explained. Once you know what they mean, you can choose the right path that suits you. 

In South Africa, different driving licences are issued with various codes that indicate the types of vehicles that may be driven with that specific licence.

All South African driving licence codes are grouped into 4 major categories:

1. Code A driver’s licence – for motorcycles
2. Code B driver’s licence – light motor vehicles
3. Code C driver’s licence – heavy motor vehicles
4. Code D driver’s licence – combination and articulated vehicles.

For example, if you want to drive a motorcycle, you need a Code A driver’s licence; a standard light motor vehicle requires you to have a Code B driver’s licence and to operate heavy vehicles, you will need a Code C driver’s licence. 

There are other special driver’s licences for transporting goods and passengers that fall under the category Code D.

To transport fare-paying passengers or tourists for a fee, you must have a professional driving permit (PrDP).

This ultimate guide unpacks the different types of drivers licences available in South Africa and which vehicles these different driving licences allow you to drive or operate.

What are the different types of driver’s licence codes in South Africa?

Since 1998 the official South African licence system has used letters to differentiate between different types of drivers licence codes. 

We’ve pulled all the data from the Road Traffic Act and put it together to make things easier for anyone who may be getting confused.

What are the different types of motorcycle licences (Code A)?

Depending on the engine capacity of the motorcycle, in South Africa, there are 2 types of motorcycle driver’s licences: Code A1 and Code A.

 Legally, in South Africa, you can start riding a motorcycle on a public road at the age of 16. You will need at least a learner’s licence, and at the age of 16, you can get a learner’s licence for a motorcycle with an engine capacity up to 125 cubic metres (cc). 

A learner’s licence is valid for 2 years, and you’re allowed to continue riding your motorcycle with your learner’s licence alone –  that is, you’re not allowed to carry a passenger with just a learner’s licence.

Let’s look at the differences between the Code A1 and Code A motorcycle driver’s licences in South Africa.

Code A1 – small motorcycle licence

The code A1 motorcycle licence is for a motorcycle with or without a sidecar that has an engine capacity of 125cc or less. Examples of these small motorcycles include scooters and mopeds.

Code A – motorcycle licence

The code A motorcycle licence is for a motorcycle with or without a sidecar that has an engine that exceeds 125cc.

To get a learner’s licence for a motorcycle over 125cc, you must be 18 years or older.

Note: A motorcycle learner’s licence does not permit you to carry a passenger, not even an instructor.

What are the different types of light motor vehicle licences (Code B)?

Code B (formally known as Code 8) is the most common driver’s licence, allowing you to drive any vehicle (except motorcycles and agricultural vehicles) lighter than 3 500 Kg. You must be 18 years or older and a learner’s licence is required to take the code B driver’s licence test. 

The code B driving licence in South Africa also authorises you to operate tractor and mobile machinery vehicles.

There are 4 types of light motor vehicle driver’s licences: 

1. Code B(a) 
2. Code B(b)
3. Code B(5) 
4. Code B(7)

Let’s have a look at the different Code B driver’s licences in South Africa.

Code B(a) – light motor vehicles (with a small trailer)

A Code B(a) driver’s licence allows you to drive vehicles with a tare weight of 3500 kilograms (kg) or less including minibuses, buses and goods vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg. 

A trailer with GVM of 750 kg or less may be attached to these vehicles.

Code B(b) – special vehicles like ambulances and garbage trucks

A Code B(b) driver’s licence allows you to drive special service vehicles such as ambulances and garbage trucks with a tare weight of 3500 kg or less.

A trailer with GVM of 750 kg or less may be attached to these vehicles.

Code B(5) – tractors

A Code B(5) driver’s licence only authorises the operation of tractors. There is no mass limit applied when operating a tractor with or without a trailer.

Code B(7) – mobile machinery such as construction equipment and forklifts

A Code B(7) driver’s licence only authorises the operation of mobile machinery. There is no mass limit applied when operating mobile machinery such as construction equipment, forklifts and earth moving machines.

What are the different types of heavy motor vehicle licences (Code C)?

The code C driver’s licences in South Africa are meant for heavy motor vehicles with a GVM of 16 000 kg. You must be 18 years or older to apply for this type of drivers licence.

To obtain a code C driving licence you must first hold a full, valid code B driving licence.

The 3 categories under heavy motor vehicle licence code C include the following: 

1. Code C1 (old code 10 licence)
2. Code C1 “4” 
3. Code C

Let’s have a look at the different Code C driver’s licences in South Africa.

Code C1 (old Code 10 licence) – heavy motor vehicles such as minibuses and buses

The code C1 driver’s licence allows you to drive vehicles with a tare weight between 3 500 kg and 16 000 kg with or without a trailer of up to 750 kg.

H3: Code C1 “4” – extra heavy buses

The code C1 “4” driver’s licence is an extra endorsement on the code C1 licence which allows for  the driving of heavy motor vehicles weighing more than 16 000 kg.

Code C – any motor vehicles

The code C driver’s licence is for motor vehicles, buses or goods vehicles with a GVM exceeding 16 000 kg with or without a trailer of up to 750 kg.

Other special licences for articulated vehicles and towing heavy trailers (Combination and articulated vehicles – Code D)

An articulated vehicle is a vehicle which has a permanent or semi-permanent pivot joint in its construction, allowing it to turn more sharply. There are many kinds of articulated vehicles, from heavy equipment to buses, trams and trains. 

Let’s take a look at some of the different driving licence codes in South Africa required for operating or driving articulated and towing heavy trailer vehicles.

Code EB – a light motor vehicle with a heavy trailer

The code EB driver’s licence is for an articulated light motor vehicle (light motor vehicle drawing a trailer) with a gross combination mass (GCM) not exceeding 3500 kg. 

You must be 18 years or older to apply for a code EB driving licence.

Code EC1(a) – heavy articulated vehicles

The code EC1(a) driver’s licence is for articulated vehicles with a gross combination mass (GCM) of between 3500 kg and 16 000 kgs and with a trailer of more than 750 kgs. 

This code also allows you to drive vehicles in categories B, C1, and EB. You must be 18 years or older to apply for a code EC1(a) driving licence.

Code EC1(b) – rigid heavy vehicles with a heavy trailer

The code EC1(b) driver’s licence allows you to drive rigid heavy vehicles with a gross combination mass (GCM) of not less than 3500 kg and not more than 16 000 kgs and with a heavy trailer with a gross combination mass (GCM) of more than 750 kgs.