Lost or damaged learner's licence: what to do

Can I replace a lost or damaged learner's licence?

Yes. You apply for a duplicate. The National Road Traffic Regulations have a rule for this, regulation 109. The copy we opened says an application for a duplicate learner's licence must be made in person, on form LL1, at any driving licence testing centre.

The gov.za page about replacing a lost licence covers the driving licence card only. We found no gov.za page for a lost learner's licence, so confirm the details below with your testing centre before you go.

Where do I go?

Go to a driving licence testing centre yourself. The regulation says any testing centre, and it says you must apply in person. Phone first to ask about office hours and whether you need an appointment. You can find centres in the test centres list.

What must I take with me?

The copy of regulation 109 that we opened lists these:

• your ID
• two ID photos
• the damaged learner's licence, if you still have it
• if the licence is lost or destroyed, a declaration on form DCT (the NaTIS website lists it as the declaration in respect of lost documents)
• form LL1, the learner's licence application form, which you can fill in at the centre
• the fee

Centres may ask for more. Greater Giyani Municipality asks for a certified copy of your ID and a copy of the learner's licence.

For lost driving licence cards, the Western Cape Government asks for proof of address not older than 3 months and an affidavit. The affidavit comes from the police if the licence was stolen, or from a commissioner of oaths if it was lost. A centre may ask the same for a learner's licence, so ask before you go.

What does a duplicate learner's licence cost?

The fee differs by province. The regulation says it is set by the MEC of each province.

These are the amounts we found on official websites in October 2026. None of the pages shows the year the fee applies to, and fees change, so confirm the amount with your centre.

• KwaZulu-Natal: R80, on the provincial Department of Transport's question-and-answer page
• Mthatha, Eastern Cape: R180, on the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality website
• Greater Giyani Municipality: R213, on the municipality's website

We found no published fee for a duplicate learner's licence in the Western Cape or Gauteng. Greater Giyani asks people to bring cash, so ask your centre how you can pay.

Does a duplicate give me more time?

We found nothing that says it does. A duplicate replaces the paper you lost. The Department of Transport says a learner's licence is valid for 24 months and cannot be extended. Ask the centre to confirm the expiry date on your duplicate.

Can I drive while I wait for the duplicate?

Wait until you have it. The National Road Traffic Act says a driver must keep their licence with them in the vehicle.

We could not confirm how long a duplicate takes, so ask the centre whether it is issued on the same day.

If you have a driving test booked, tell the centre at once. gov.za says your learner's licence is checked before you start the driving test.

Sources

• Road traffic related forms (LL1, DCT), NaTIS, Road Traffic Management Corporation
• Frequently Asked Questions, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport
• Public Safety, King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality
• Traffic Department: licensing, Greater Giyani Municipality
• Driving licence, Western Cape Government
• Replace lost driving licence, South African Government services (gov.za)
• Apply for a driving licence, South African Government services (gov.za)
• Apply for a learner's licence, South African Government services (gov.za)
• National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, copy published by the Road Traffic Management Corporation
• National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000, regulation 109, copy published by Acts Online