Professional Driving Permit (PrDP)

To drive on a public road in South Africa transporting goods, dangerous goods, or passengers for income, you must have a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP). The permit is issued in addition to your ordinary driving licence. It is not a separate licence — it is an endorsement printed on your driving licence card that authorises you to drive commercially.

What Is a PrDP and Who Needs One?

The PrDP system is governed by the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996). It ensures that professional drivers meet higher medical, fitness, and criminal record standards than ordinary licence holders. You need a PrDP if you:

• Drive a goods vehicle with a GVM exceeding 3,500 kg for commercial purposes
• Drive a vehicle carrying passengers for reward (minibus taxis, buses, Uber, Bolt, InDriver, shuttles, tour buses)
• Drive a vehicle transporting dangerous goods (fuel, chemicals, explosives, gas)
• Drive a breakdown/tow vehicle

Minimum age: You must be at least 21 years old to apply for a PrDP.

How Much Does a PrDP Cost?

Item	Cost
Medical certificate (from healthcare provider)	R200 – R300
PrDP application fee	R324
Temporary PrDP application fee	R84
Afiswitch criminal record check (Department of Transport)	R110
Estimated total	Approximately R768

Based on a medical cost of R250. Fees may vary slightly by province and healthcare provider.

PrDP Categories

Category G — Goods

• What it covers: Driving a goods vehicle with a GVM exceeding 3,500 kg, or a breakdown vehicle, for reward.
• Minimum age: 18 years.
• Licence required: At minimum Code C1 (Code 10) for vehicles 3,500–16,000 kg, or Code C/EC for heavier vehicles.
• Typical holders: Truck drivers, delivery drivers (medium and heavy trucks), breakdown operators.

Category P — Passengers

• What it covers: Driving a vehicle carrying 12 or more persons (including the driver) for reward, or any smaller vehicle used for public passenger transport (minibus taxis, metered taxis, Uber, Bolt, InDriver, shuttle services).
• Minimum age: 21 years.
• Licence required: Code B (Code 8) for smaller passenger vehicles (e-hailing, metered taxis); Code C1 or higher for minibuses and buses exceeding 12 seats.
• Typical holders: Minibus taxi drivers, bus drivers, Uber/Bolt drivers, shuttle operators, tour bus drivers.

Category D — Dangerous Goods

• What it covers: Transporting hazardous materials classified under the SANS 10228 standard — fuel, petroleum gases, chemicals, explosives, radioactive materials, corrosives, and other dangerous goods.
• Minimum age: 25 years.
• Licence required: The appropriate licence code for the vehicle (typically Code C or EC for tankers and heavy DG vehicles).
• Additional requirement: An approved Dangerous Goods training certificate from a SETA-accredited or TETA-accredited training provider. The certificate is valid for 1 year and must be renewed before it expires.
• Typical holders: Fuel tanker drivers, chemical transport drivers, explosives transport drivers.

What Documents Do You Need?

• SA Citizens: South African identity document (smart card or book) plus a copy.
  Foreign Nationals: Valid passport plus a copy.
• Valid South African driving licence card plus a copy.
• Four black-and-white ID photographs.
• Proof of residential address — e.g. a utility account (electricity, water, rates).
  • If the utility bill is not in your name, the account holder must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address, with the utility bill attached.
  • If you live in an informal settlement, bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address.
• The application fees (see cost table above).

Important: Not all licensing centres accept card payments. If you plan to pay with a card, check with the centre beforehand — otherwise, you must have cash available to process your application.

Note: Before applying for a PrDP you must already hold the correct driver's licence code. If you are still working towards your learner's licence, download the official LL1 application form: Download LL1 Form (PDF)

Medical Certificate

You need a medical certificate completed by a registered healthcare practitioner on the official RTMC medical form. The doctor assesses your vision, hearing, cardiovascular fitness, neurological health, and general physical condition. Any condition that could impair safe driving (uncontrolled epilepsy, severe diabetes, certain heart conditions) may result in the certificate being refused.

The medical certificate must be not older than 2 months at the time of application. Cost ranges from R200 to R300 depending on your healthcare provider.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The process depends on your province. Some provinces offer walk-in services; others require a booking.

1. Step 1 — Book an appointment (if required): If your province requires a booking, book a slot on the eNaTIS website. Gauteng and Eastern Cape generally require online bookings. Other provinces may accept walk-ins — contact your local DLTC to confirm.
2. Step 2 — Get the forms: Download or collect Form PD1 (Application for Professional Driving Permit) and the medical clearance form from a licensing centre.
3. Step 3 — Medical clearance: Take the medical clearance form to a registered healthcare practitioner and have it signed and stamped. Keep the original.
4. Step 4 — Visit the licensing centre: Go to the DLTC on your booked date (or walk in if your province allows it). Bring all your documents, photos, and payment.
5. Step 5 — At the counter, the licensing agent will:
   • Verify your paperwork and documents
   • Conduct your eye test
   • Take your fingerprints for the criminal record check (traffic-related convictions only)
   • Provide you with Afiswitch payment instructions and a unique reference code
6. Step 6 — Pay the PrDP application fee: Pay R324 at the licensing centre.
7. Step 7 — Pay the Afiswitch fee: Pay R110 via EFT using the unique reference code the licensing agent gave you. If you do not have online banking, you must deposit cash at an ABSA branch into the Afiswitch account.
8. Step 8 — Apply for your temporary PrDP: After 5 to 10 working days (once Afiswitch has processed your fingerprints and released the results to the licensing department), return to the DLTC and apply for your temporary PrDP.
9. Step 9 — Pay the temporary PrDP fee: Pay R84 for the temporary permit.
10. Step 10 — Collect your PrDP card: The permanent PrDP card can take up to 12 weeks to be produced. Your temporary PrDP is valid for 6 months and allows you to drive professionally while waiting for the card.

Temporary PrDP

Because the permanent PrDP card can take up to 12 weeks to produce, getting a temporary PrDP is essential. It allows you to start working legally while waiting for your card.

• Cost: R84
• When to apply: After 5–10 working days (once the Afiswitch criminal record check results are released to the licensing department)
• Validity: 6 months

Important: You cannot get the temporary PrDP on the same day as your initial application. You must wait for the fingerprint/criminal record results (5–10 working days) before the temporary permit can be issued.

Validity and Renewal

Category	Validity Period	Renewal Required
Category G (Goods)	24 months	Yes — fresh medical certificate + fingerprints
Category P (Passengers)	24 months	Yes — fresh medical certificate + fingerprints
Category D (Dangerous Goods)	24 months	Yes — plus renewed DG training certificate

Renewal process: Start renewal at least 4 weeks before expiry. You will need a fresh medical certificate (not older than 2 months), updated fingerprints, and a new criminal record check. The fees are the same as for a new application. Driving on an expired PrDP is illegal and treated the same as driving without a PrDP.

Criminal Record Check (Afiswitch)

The criminal record check is conducted by Afiswitch on behalf of the Department of Transport. This checks for traffic-related convictions only.

• Cost: R110
• Processing time: 5 to 10 working days
• Payment method: EFT (using the reference code from the DLTC) or cash deposit at an ABSA branch
• Disqualifying offences: Serious convictions within the past 5 years — murder, robbery, assault, hijacking, drug trafficking, fraud, sexual offences, reckless driving, driving under the influence

The results are released directly to the licensing department — you do not receive them yourself. Once cleared, you can apply for your temporary PrDP.

Special Certifications and Endorsements

Dangerous Goods Training Certificate

Required for PrDP Category D. The training course covers hazard identification, emergency procedures, fire fighting, spill containment, TREM card (Transport Emergency Card) procedures, placarding, and documentation. The certificate is valid for 1 year and must be renewed through an accredited training provider before expiry.

Ambulance and Emergency Vehicle Drivers

Drivers of ambulances and emergency medical vehicles require a PrDP Category P, plus registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an ambulance emergency assistant or paramedic. Additional emergency vehicle driving training is typically required by the employer.

Scholar Transport

Drivers transporting school children require a PrDP Category P and an operating licence issued by the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE). The vehicle must meet specific safety requirements (fire extinguisher, first aid kit, scholar patrol sign) and pass an annual roadworthiness inspection. Background checks for scholar transport drivers are more rigorous, including checks against the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Driving Instructors

To work as a professional driving instructor, you need a valid driving licence for the vehicle class you teach, a PrDP (if teaching heavy vehicles commercially), and an instructor's permit issued by the DLTC. The instructor's permit requires passing an additional practical assessment demonstrating your ability to teach defensive driving techniques and the K53 system.