A learner’s licence is the first step to driving legally in South Africa. It is issued at a driving licence testing centre (DLTC) after you pass a theory test on road signs, rules of the road and vehicle controls, plus an eye test. It lets you practise under supervision and is required before you can book a driving test.
Last checked: 13 September 2026. TrafficDepartment.co.za is an independent guide, not a government website. We do not book appointments, take payments or issue documents. Confirm fees, hours and requirements with the official source before you act: gov.za: apply for a learner’s licence and NaTIS Online.
Learner’s licence overview
- Issued on the same day if you pass the test and pay.
- Valid for 24 months and cannot be renewed. If it expires before you pass your driving test, you have to take the learner’s test again.
- You must drive with a person who holds a valid driving licence for that vehicle class.
More: validity and driving rules for learners.
Eligibility and licence codes
- Code 1 (motorcycles): from 16 for motorcycles up to 125cc, and from 18 for larger motorcycles.
- Code 2 (light motor vehicles, for a code B or EB licence): from 17.
- Code 3 (heavy motor vehicles): from 18.
These ages come from gov.za and the National Road Traffic Act. See learner’s licence codes and which code to choose.
Documents and proof of address
- Original ID document or smart ID card (or passport and permit for foreign nationals).
- Two identical ID photographs, where the centre still requires them.
- Proof of residential address. See proof of address.
- Form LL1. See LL1 form.
- A medical certificate (MC form) if you are 65 or older. See applicants over 65.
How to book the test
gov.za states that Gauteng residents must apply online on NaTIS Online. In most other provinces you apply and book at the DLTC. The City of Cape Town, for example, books the test in person at the testing centre. See traffic department online booking and learner’s test booking.
Fees to verify locally
There is an application or test fee per code and a separate fee to issue the licence once you pass. The amounts differ by province and municipality, so confirm them with your centre. See learner’s licence cost.
What the test covers
- Road signs, signals and markings. See road signs.
- Rules of the road. See rules of the road.
- Vehicle controls for the code you are testing for. See vehicle controls.
Many centres now use a computerised touchscreen test. The City of Cape Town completed its rollout across its 18 testing centres in early 2026. Practise with a mock test and the study guide. Details of the test day: traffic department learners test.
What to bring on test day
- Your ID document and booking confirmation.
- Glasses or contact lenses if you use them, for the eye test.
- Proof of address and the completed LL1, if not already submitted.
- Payment for the licence, in a method the centre accepts.
Checklist: test day checklist.
Next steps after passing
Practise with a licensed driver, then book your driving test. See after passing, the K53 driving test and traffic department near me. Forms for other services are in the forms library. Back to the traffic department overview.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a learner’s licence at 16?
Only code 1, for motorcycles up to 125cc. For a car (code 2) the minimum age is 17.
What happens if I fail the learner’s test?
You can rebook and retake it, paying the test fee again. See failed learner’s test.
Can I renew an expired learner’s licence?
No. It cannot be renewed, so you would need to pass the test again.
Do I need an eye test for my learner’s licence?
Yes, done at the centre or by an optometrist. See learner’s licence eye test.
Can I write the learner’s test in my home language?
The computerised test offers several official languages. Ask your centre which languages it supports.
Is traffic department open for learners licence tests on Saturdays?
Some centres open on Saturday mornings, but tests are usually booked for weekdays. See Saturday opening.
Common reasons applicants fail or are turned away
- Arriving without the original ID document or with proof of address that is too old.
- Failing the eye test because glasses were left at home.
- Not studying the road signs section, which catches out many first-time candidates.
- Booking for the wrong code, for example code 1 when a car licence is the goal.
- Being under the minimum age for the chosen code on the test date.
Under-18 applicants and their parents often have extra questions. See learners under 18 and age requirements.
Official sources for this service
Rules and fees change, and this site cannot see your records. Before acting, confirm the detail that matters with the official source:
- gov.za: apply for a learner’s licence: ages, documents and the application process.
- NaTIS Online: learner’s test bookings in provinces that use it.
- Your testing centre or municipality, for local fees, test days and whether the test is computerised.