Driving a vehicle is considered to be one of the riskiest tasks people do on a daily basis and it’s very important to go for intense training in other to be a driver. Before you will be able to get access to the streets of South Africa with your car you first need to have a valid driver’s licence. But even before then you need to first apply for a learner’s licence and this is done by taking the test. This can be done in two ways i.e taking the test on site at the nearest driver’s licence test centre or you can also do it online. After getting yourself the learner’s licence it can only last for 24 months after which you can no longer do any form of extensions. This article is mean’t to show you how to book and apply for a learner’s licence.
Before you’ll be able to book a test online, one needs to posses some required which will serve as proof of qualification in order to earn the licence and also pay a booking fee.
Some facts about learner’s licence.
Holding a learner’s licence means you can be allowed to drive only when you are being supervised by a licenced driver, when the category of the vehicle you’re driving requires a professional driving permit, it is required for the licenced driver to also hold a professional driving permit.
Documents you need to book a learner’s test online.
The information below will help you with the documents you need when you want to book the learner’s test physically.
Visit the nearest driving licensing test centre(DLTC) to complete the application with the following documents.
- An available original Identification card ID
- You need two photocopies of an identification photograph or better still a passport picture.(Please don’t forget to consult the Driver’s Licencing Test Centre (DLTC) for the specific number.
- You should possess a proof of residence which could be in a form of utility bill, or the owner of the house should make an affidavit declaring that you’re a resident in his house.
- If where you reside is an informal settlement, you will need to provide a letter of residence which is stamped on by a ward councilor.
- You must pay a booking fee which usually costs between R55 to R300. Please note that the booking fee should be paid on time in other to start the processing as soon as possible.
The information below will guide you on how to book for the test online;
- Your personal documents must be readily available.
- Booking fee should also be available.
- You then fill the learner’s licence form which is also called LL1 Application form. On the form, you input your name, email address and your telephone number.
- The online learner’s licence test booking can be done through the National Traffic Information System(eNatis) Online.
NB: For those who are 65 years and above and trying to book a learner’s licence test, you must fill a Medical Certificate Form (MCF) which is readily available at the centre, after you will go for an eye test which must be conducted by a qualified physician and then present the form to the test centre.
Where to get learner’s licence application forms.
There are two places to which one can access the learner’s licence application forms, the first was is by checking it out on the National Traffic Information System (eNatis) website.
The other way is to get it at any of the 12 accredited Driving Licence Testing Centres(DLTC) in South Africa. Below is the list of accredited Driving Licence Testing Centre;
Tshwane
Johannesburg
The City of Cape Town
Nelson Mandela Bay
Eastern Cape municipalities
KwaZulu-Natal municipalities
Free State municipalities
Limpopo municipalities
Mpumalanga municipalities
North West municipalities
North Cape municipalities
Western Cape municipalities
These centres listed above will be able to feed you with enough information in your quest to acquire your learner’s licence.
Steps to guide you in acquiring your driver’s licence test.
Step 1: Get scheduled / Get a date
Due to the high demand in learner’s licence and alot of people applying on a daily basis, the government m ade a way for applicants to book a date in order to serve everyone without chaos. This makes the work systematic in a way that you can’t come for any test unless it’s your turn to do so.
Step 2: Paying of booking fee
Immediately your date is booked or scheduled, it is mandatory to pay your booking fees as soon as possible. The booking fee as we mentioned earlier ranges from R55 to R300. Please note that the price of the fee may differ per province, so it’s important to consult your nearby driving licence testing centre before you make any payment. You’ll then be handed an official receipt once the payment goes through.
Step 3: Fill the Learner’s Licence 1 Form
Filing the Learner’s Licence 1 form is considered one of the most important aspects of booking for a test and before you fill the form there are some documents required of you. The form also requires information such as identification details, contacts and also your physical address. A short stay expat or foreigner who is seeking to apply is supposed to state his country of origin.
Step 4: Go for an eye test
One of the mandatory tasks in order to pass the test is to go for an eye test to check if you are qualified to get the learner’s licence. Because a good eye sight is necessary for driving, there are licenced optometrists available at the centres to conduct the test. Your form will be submitted to the testing centre once the eye testing is over.
Step 5: Knowing the basics of a vehicle and driving
As a potential driver you are supposed to have an overall knowledge of a vehicle and know how to go about things related to it. You are also mandated to know the rules and regulations in relation to driving.
Step 6: On the day of the test, it is advisable to have your booking receipt as as well as the necessary IDs needed for your test.
Step 7: This final stage of this process is to pay the issue fee, there and then the licence will issued to you for use then you can start using your license.
Categories the motor vehicles fall under.
When it comes issuing of a licence one should know that there are three categories of motor vehicles. This categories are centered around the weight of the motor engine and also age restrictions. This is to ensure road safety and security on our roads. The codes below are the categories of the motor vehicles;
Code 1: Motor Cycles
The code 1 license is authorized for motorcycles that have the engine capacity of 125cc and below. Examples are motor tricycles, quadricycle, motorcycle with one side car or none. You should be at least 16 years while trying to apply for this license. For you to be able to drive a motor with an engine capacity of more than 125cc you need to be 18 and above.
Code 2: Light weight vehicles
The code 2 license is made for motor vehicles that have a gross weight of not less that three thousand five hundred kilograms 35000kg. They are cars like mini vans, salon cars, buses or cargo trucks. You need to be 17 years or older on the day of the test.
Code 3: Heavy duty vehicles/ heavyweight vehicles
Code 3 license is made for vehicles that passes the gross weight of three thousand five hundred kilograms 3500kg. This includes big buses or coaches, large trucks and trailers. To qualify for the license or qualify for the test you need to be 18years and above.
This article was to provide you with an overall knowledge on how to go about things concerning your learner’s licence and we we hope the in depth information this article has given you has been able to serve it’s purpose.
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