How long is a learner's licence valid?

A learner's licence is valid for 24 months. The Department of Transport says it cannot be extended. If it runs out before you pass your driving test, you need a new learner's licence.

How long is a learner's licence valid?

A learner's licence is valid for 24 months. The national government services site (gov.za) and the Department of Transport both say this. The Western Cape Government gives the same period as 2 years.

The Department of Transport's learner driver manual says the 24 months start on the day you pass the learner's test. So the clock starts on test day, not on the day you start driving lessons.

You may see 18 months in some places. One online copy of the road traffic regulations that we opened still shows 18 months. The current government pages all say 24 months.

Can I renew or extend my learner's licence?

No. The Department of Transport says a learner's licence cannot be extended. None of the official pages we checked describes a way to renew one.

What do I do when my learner's licence expires?

You need a new learner's licence. The National Road Traffic Act says nobody may be tested for a driving licence unless they hold a learner's licence. The Western Cape Government also says you need a valid learner's licence to apply for a driving licence.

The official pages describe only one way to get a learner's licence, and that is to apply and pass the test. On gov.za the steps are:

1. Book a test at a driving licence testing centre. Gauteng residents are told to apply online on the NaTIS site. 2. Take your ID, two identical black-and-white ID photos (check the number with the centre), proof of address and the booking fee. 3. Fill in form LL1 at the centre and do the eye test. 4. Write the test. Take your booking receipt and your ID. 5. If you pass, pay the issue fee. The licence is issued the same day.

We could not confirm whether you may apply for a new learner's licence before the old one runs out. Check with your testing centre.

Book your driving test early, so that you have time to try again inside the 24 months.

Who must be in the car with me?

A licensed driver must be with you every time you drive. The copy of regulation 99 that we opened says the holder of a learner's licence must be accompanied by, and be under the direct personal supervision of, a person seated next to the learner. If that person cannot sit next to you, they must sit directly behind you.

That person must hold a driving licence for the same class of vehicle. A learner's licence does not count. gov.za adds that if the vehicle needs a professional driving permit, the person supervising you must hold one too.

Can I carry passengers on a learner's licence?

In a car, the rule we found is about paying passengers. Regulation 99 says a learner's licence does not allow you to drive while carrying people for reward. That means you may not carry people who pay you. We found no official page that bans ordinary passengers in a car, as long as your licensed driver is seated next to you.

On a motorcycle the answer is no. A learner's licence for a motorcycle does not allow you to carry another person on a public road. The Western Cape Government says the same.

Are the rules different for a motorcycle?

Yes. The supervision rule does not apply to motorcycles. The City of Cape Town says you do not need a licensed driver with you once you have a code 1 learner's licence. You may not carry a passenger. The learner driver manual says that if you are under 18 you may only ride a motorcycle with an engine of 125 cc or less.

What else must I remember?

Drive only the kind of vehicle your learner's licence covers. The Western Cape Government lists this as a rule.
Keep your learner's licence with you in the vehicle. The National Road Traffic Act says a driver must keep the licence in the vehicle.
We could not find an official page that covers L signs on the car. Check with your testing centre or your driving instructor.

Sources

Last checked: October 2026

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