There is no single national price for a PDP, the professional driving permit officially called a PrDP, for either a first application or a renewal. gov.za tells applicants to contact their local licensing office for the cost, because fees are set by provinces and municipalities.
So the honest answer to how much PDP costs is that it depends on where you apply. What you can know in advance is exactly what you are paying for, which is what this guide sets out, so there are no surprises at the counter.
Last checked: 19 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: professional driving permit, Ulundi Municipality tariff schedule 2019/20 and your testing centre.
Who needs a PrDP
Drivers who carry paying passengers, drive certain goods vehicles or transport dangerous goods. See PDP (PrDP) and who needs a PrDP.
PrDP categories and eligibility
- G (goods): from 18.
- P (passengers): from 21.
- D (dangerous goods): from 25.
The category does not normally change the application fee, so how much a PrDP for passenger work costs in South Africa is usually the same as for goods. Category D is the exception, because it needs a dangerous goods training course with its own cost.
Documents and medical requirements
- A medical certificate (form MC) completed by a registered medical practitioner, not older than two months. The doctor charges their own consultation fee.
- Fingerprints for the conviction check, taken at the testing centre. Some municipalities charge for this separately.
- ID photographs where required, form PD1, your ID and driving licence. See PD1.
Fees and payment checks
The total is the sum of several separate charges, which is why quoted figures vary so widely:
- The PrDP application fee.
- A fingerprint or conviction check fee, where charged separately.
- The permit card fee when it is issued.
- A temporary permit fee, if you need one while the card is made. This is what a temporarily PDP license costs where a centre offers it.
- The doctor’s fee for the medical certificate, paid to the practice.
Check which payment methods the centre accepts before you go; not all take cards.
How much is PDP in KZN?
The clearest official example we found is from KwaZulu-Natal. Ulundi Municipality’s 2019/20 tariff schedule listed a PrDP application fee of R150 and a separate PrDP fingerprint fee of R70 (Ulundi Municipality tariff schedule 2019/20).
That schedule is several years old and applies only to Ulundi, so treat it as an illustration of how the fees are structured rather than as today’s price. Other KZN centres, and the rest of the country, set their own amounts. Ask your centre for the current total.
PDP renewal price
How much to renew PDP is usually about the same as a first application, because a renewal repeats every step: a new medical certificate, fingerprints for a fresh conviction check, and a new permit card. There is no reduced returning-applicant rate.
You pay it every two years, so budget for the full amount on that cycle rather than treating it as a one-off. See PrDP renewal.
How to apply or renew
Book or queue at the DLTC, submit the documents, give fingerprints and pay. A renewal follows the same steps with a new medical certificate.
Processing and card collection
gov.za says processing can take up to 12 weeks, and a permit is valid for two years. That gap is the reason to apply early rather than to save money. See card collection.
NaTIS and DLTC booking steps
PrDP applications can be booked on NaTIS Online where the centre uses it. Booking itself carries no fee. See traffic department online booking, traffic department near me and traffic department forms.
How to get an accurate quote before you go
- Ask the testing centre for the total cost of a PrDP for your category, including fingerprints and the permit card.
- Ask whether a temporary permit is available and what it costs.
- Ask your doctor for the consultation fee for the MC form before the appointment.
- For category D, get a quote from an accredited dangerous goods training provider.
Four short questions asked in advance are the difference between a planned cost and a wasted trip.
Common PrDP questions
Why do PDP prices online differ so much?
Each province and municipality sets its own tariffs and updates them at different times, and some quoted figures include the medical or fingerprint costs while others do not.
Is there a separate fee for a temporary PrDP?
Where a temporary permit is issued while your card is made, centres usually charge for it separately.
Does the PrDP fee include the driving licence?
No. The PrDP is added to a valid driving licence, which has its own renewal fees.
Can my employer pay for my PDP?
Many transport operators do. The permit is still issued in your name and stays with you if you change jobs.
Do I pay again if my application is refused?
Fees are generally not refundable, so make sure you meet the requirements first.
How often will I pay for a PrDP?
Every two years, because the permit must be renewed on that cycle, with a new medical certificate each time.
Costs of getting it wrong
- An expired medical certificate means paying the doctor again.
- A missed booking may mean paying the booking amount again.
- Driving for reward without a valid PrDP can lead to a fine and problems with your employer’s insurance and operating licence.
Operators should check permits regularly. See operator responsibilities and expired PrDP.