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Learners and drivers licences <h2 class="sectHeading">​​Learner’s licence</h2> <p>Before you earn your licence to drive a vehicle, you will need to get your learner’s licence, which you can only get once you pass a written learner’s test. Find out more about applying for a learner's licence by clicking on the City Connect link below. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Driving-and-vehicles/Apply-for-a-learners-licence">Apply for your learner’s licence </a></p></div></div></span> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Driver's licence​​​​​​​</h2></span> <p>You have to be over the age of 18 to apply for a driving licence. Your application consists of filling out and completing your application documents and booking a driving test. The test is a practical one where you will have to show your ability to drive and park and follow the rules of the road. If you miss a test date or time you must still pay all fees and re-submit your application.</p><p>Find out more about applying for a driver's licence by clicking on the City Connect link below. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/apply/licences-and-permits/driving-and-vehicles/apply-for-new-or-replacement-drivers-licence/Apply%20for%20new%20or%20replacement%20driver%27s%20licence">Apply for your driver's licence</a></p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Driver’s licence card renewals</h2><p>Your driver’s licence is issued as a card, which is valid for five years – after which you will need to renew it. It is your responsibility to check if your licence card is up to date and get it renewed in time. To do so, you will need to visit your closest <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/see-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/Drivers%20licence%20testing%20centres/">driver's licence testing centre</a>. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/apply/licences-and-permits/driving-and-vehicles/apply-for-new-or-replacement-drivers-licence/Apply%20for%20new%20or%20replacement%20driver%27s%20licence">Apply to renew your driver's licence</a></p></div></div></span> <p>Before your licence can be renewed, you will have your fingerprints taken and undergo an eye test. If your sight has deteriorated since your licence was first issued, new restrictions may be attached to your licence. For example, you may be required to wear glasses when driving. If you fail the eye test completely, your driving licence will not be renewed. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>There are a number of people applying for or renewing their driver’s licence each day. Set aside 2-3 hours for the entire process.</p></div></div> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Driving licence card collection</h2> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>deadline for collections</h4><p> You will have 120 days to collect your card, after which it will be destroyed.</p></div></div></span> <p>When you collect your driving licence card, you have to produce <em><strong>acceptable identification. </strong></em>The following types of identification are acceptable:   </p> <ul><li>ID Book or card;</li><li>Temporary ID;</li><li>Valid RSA passport;</li><li>Valid driving licence card;</li><li>Valid foreign ID; or</li><li>Traffic Registration Number Certificate</li></ul></span> <p>If you can’t collect the card yourself, you will need to get an affidavit from any police station, giving permission for another person to collect it. They will also need to bring with them a certified copy of your ID and a certified copy of their ID.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Lost or stolen cards​​​​​​​</h2></span> <p>If you have lost your card or it has been stolen, you will have to replace it. Find out more about applying for a replacement licence by clicking on the City Connect link below.  </p><div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Driving-and-vehicles/Apply-for-new-or-replacement-drivers-licence">Apply for a replacement driver's licence card</a></p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Our testing centres</h2><p>The City has <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Drivers%20licence%20testing%20centres">18 driving licence testing centres (DLTCs)</a> located at central points throughout Cape Town. Every month we process an average of 5 000 learner and 5 300 driving licence tests. The centres also issue and renew professional driving permits and regular driving card licences for more than one million road users. Find out more about <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/transport-and-vehicles/vehicles-and-driving/waiting-times-for-drivers-licence-tests">driver's licence test waiting times</a> in Cape Town.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>Complaints about service delivery, conversion of foreign licences, appeals against failing a driving test, or difficulties with booking appointments, may be lodged with the management of each DLTC. </p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Driving schools and instructors</h2><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Law%20Enforcement%2c%20Traffic%20and%20Coordination%20Department">Our Law Enforcement, Traffic and Coordination Department </a>encourage all learner drivers to use driving schools that have a good reputation when learning how to drive. </p><h4> Driving schools and instructors must have:</h4><ul><li>a valid instructor’s certificate that proves that they are able to instruct <a href="https://arrivealive.co.za/K53-Driver-Licence-Test" target="_blank">learner drivers in K53 driving system<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>;</li><li>a valid driving licence for the vehicle they’re using to instruct learner drivers; and</li><li>a <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/transport-and-vehicles/vehicles-and-driving/roadworthy-your-car">roadworthy vehicle</a>.</li></ul> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p> Before you pay a driving instructor to give you driving lessons, check to see if they have a valid instructor’s certificate. The certificate will specify which grade/class of vehicle the instructor is qualified to teach in.</p></div></div></span> <h4>Instructors are graded as follows:</h4> <span> <div class="mobile-scroll"><table><tbody><tr><th style="width:83px;">Grade A</th><td colspan="2">Instructors can teach any driving code and must be in possession of a code EC and a code A driving licence.</td></tr><tr><th style="width:83px;">Grade B</th><td colspan="2">Instructors can teach codes B, C1, C, EB, EC1 and EC. He /she must be in possession of a code EC driving licence.</td></tr><tr><th style="width:83px;">Grade C </th><td colspan="2">Instructors can teach codes A1, A and B, and should have a code EB and A driving licence. </td></tr><tr><th style="width:83px;">​Grade D</th><td rowspan="1" colspan="2">Instructors can teach code B and should have a code B or code EB driving licence. </td></tr><tr><th style="width:83px;">​Grade L</th><td rowspan="1" colspan="2">Instructors can do learner’s licence training.​</td></tr></tbody></table></div>​​​</span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> People trained by uncertified driving school instructors often fail their driving licence tests because they are not taught the K53 driving system.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Professional driving permit (PDP)</h2><p>If you drive a certain kind of vehicle, and it forms part of your job, you may need to have a professional driving permit (PDP). However, a professional driving permit is not required to drive a hearse or a tractor.</p><p>Find out how to apply for a Professional Driving Permit (PDP) by following the City Connect link below. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Driving-and-vehicles/Apply-for-a-professional-driving-permit">Apply for a Professional Driving Permit (PDP) </a> </p></div></div></span> <p>Your professional driving permit may be suspended or cancelled if you become medically unfit, if you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, of reckless or negligent driving, or of a violent offence.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>As an operator or owner of a car which requires a professional driving permit, you cannot let anyone else drive that vehicle unless the driver also has a professional driving permit for the same class of vehicle.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">People with disabilities</h2><p>If you are a person with a disability, you must apply for a driving licence in exactly the same way as an able-bodied person. Any disabilities will also be marked on your licence, for example, if you wear glasses or contact lenses or have an artificial limb.</p><p>If you qualify, you can also apply for a disability disc which will allow you to park in disabled parking bays.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Driving-and-vehicles/apply-for-a-disability-parking-permit">Apply for a disability disc</a></p></div></div></span>GP0|#3aeb39c9-e358-4869-9406-6f6085df26ea;L0|#03aeb39c9-e358-4869-9406-6f6085df26ea|Learner and drivers licenses;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#d3d5b93d-198a-4abb-b677-c4988ef1d5d5;GPP|#bb1d214c-4a13-47f8-89cd-911676b553ad;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#97462060-ad63-40e0-80c3-31c0dc3f0cbd;L0|#097462060-ad63-40e0-80c3-31c0dc3f0cbd|Learner and drivers licenses;GPP|#83469cb3-efa0-44e1-992b-327c1c0d4383;GPP|#14a3ee0b-b641-42d6-9511-506df3d1bdc9;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57;GP0|#2453a001-e251-4f0d-af83-bdbc5eea0b85;L0|#02453a001-e251-4f0d-af83-bdbc5eea0b85|Learner and drivers licenses;GPP|#d845a2ac-0b25-42bd-91e1-41bfdcbc3cc1;GPP|#9f841cad-99c7-419d-a78f-65752fc421d4;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752;GP0|#2c9ec4c2-0c46-4683-9f49-dfdfd75aac62;L0|#02c9ec4c2-0c46-4683-9f49-dfdfd75aac62|Learner and drivers licenses;GPP|#86aa9952-dbc0-47b7-83c7-9ee387ea7976;GPP|#6f520d07-fa28-4a39-a1a6-a53c75fe9ed2;GPP|#e88ff549-973f-4e3c-a46c-cfbe61bd6a24Learn about the important rules and procedures for getting a drivers’ licence in Cape Town and renewing your licence card.0

 

 

 

 

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