At the age of 16 years or older, you may obtain a code 1 learner’s licence which will allow you to drive only

• a motor cycle type vehicle with a maximum engine capacity of 125 cc
• a ‘moped’ where pedals are available to assist the engine or motor

If you are the holder of a valid code 1 learner’s licence and 18 years old or older, you may drive a motor cycle type vehicle with any engine capacity.

At the age of 17 years or older you may obtain a code 2 learner’s licence which will allow you to drive any motor vehicle excluding

• motor cycle type vehicles
• any motor vehicle of which the tare exceeds 3 500 kg
• a bus or goods vehicle of which the gross vehicle mass exceeds 3 500 kg
• an articulated motor vehicle of which the gross combination mass exceeds 3 500 kg

At the age of 18 years or older you may apply for a code 3 learner’s licence which allows the driving of any motor vehicle excluding motor cycle type vehicles.

Once you have obtained a learner’s licence, you may drive the type of vehicle for which the learner’s licence is valid. However, you must be accompanied by a driver licensed for the specific vehicle, except in the case of a motor cycle because a learner driver may not transport another person on a motor cycle.

You may be allowed to prebook a learner’s licence test spot at a call centre. Note that this is not the application, only courtesy to fit your diary. You must apply for a learner’s licence in person at a driving licence testing centre. You must submit the following:

• duly completed form LL1
• Two identical black and white or colour driving licence type photographs of

yourself

The driving licence testing centre will provide you with a date and time on which you will be allowed to complete the learner’s licence test. You may apply before the qualifying age (see above), but at the time of the of the scheduled learner’s licence test, you have to be old enough in order to be issued with the learner’s licence. The learner’s licence test is a written test to verify your knowledge of the rules of the road, road traffic signs and the controls of a motor vehicle.

If you have passed the test, an issue fee is required to issue the learner’s licence certificate. One of your photos and your signature will be attached to the certificate and this should be covered with security tape.

You must hold a valid learner’s licence to be tested for the issuing of a driving licence, i.e. the learner’s licence must still be valid on the driving licence test appointment date. The learner’s licence remains valid for its full period unless cancelled by a court order. You may thus, for example, hold a learner’s licence and if you fail a (practical) driving licence test, be tested again within the period of validity of the learner’s licence.