Learner's licence: codes, ages and how to apply
You need a learner's licence before you may learn to drive on a public road. This chapter explains the licence codes, the ages, how to apply and the rules that come with the licence. The test asks about these, so learn the numbers.
Do you need a learner's licence to learn to drive?
Yes. You must have a learner's licence before anyone may legally train you to drive a vehicle on a public road.
No person may drive a motor vehicle on a public road without a licence issued to them. A licence to drive is one of two kinds: a learner's licence or a driving licence. A learner's licence is a provisional (temporary) licence. Both kinds are issued by a driving licence testing centre.
Which learner's licence code do you need for a car?
You need code 2. Code 2 is the learner's licence code for light motor vehicles.
With code 2 you may drive a motor vehicle, or a combination of motor vehicles (vehicles joined together). Three mass (weight) figures must each be 3500 kilograms or less:
- the Tare
- the Gross Vehicle Mass
- the Gross Combination Mass
A code 2 learner's licence does not let you ride a motorcycle or a motor tricycle.
What is a code 3 learner's licence?
Code 3 is the learner's licence code for light and heavy motor vehicles. It does not let you ride a motorcycle, a motor tricycle or a motor quadrucycle.
How old must you be to get a learner's licence?
You must be at least 17 years of age to get a code 2 learner's licence. You must be at least 18 years of age to get a code 3 learner's licence.
May you drive alone with a learner's licence?
No. You must always drive under the direct supervision of another person. That person must hold a driving licence for the class of vehicle you are driving. The rule is the same for code 2 and code 3. You are still learning, so a licensed driver must watch over you.
How long is a learner's licence valid?
A learner's licence is valid for 24 months. This is the same for code 2 and code 3. The 24 months are counted from the day you pass the learner's licence test.
Where and how do you apply for a learner's licence?
You apply at any registered driving licence testing centre (DLTC). You must make the application yourself, at the centre, on form LL1.
Take these with you:
- two identical photographs of yourself
- acceptable identification
- a photocopy of that identification
- the appropriate fee
- a medical certificate on form MC, if you are 65 years of age or older
When your receipt is issued, the DLTC decides the date and time of your test. You must report for the test on that date, at that time.
What does the learner's licence test cover?
The test covers three things:
- the rules of the road and other legislative matters (matters of law)
- road traffic signs, signals and road markings
- the use of the controls of a vehicle
Who may not get a learner's licence?
Some people are disqualified. This means they may not get or hold a learner's licence or a driving licence. Each reason below counts on its own.
Reasons about drugs, alcohol and earlier licences:
- You are addicted to any drug that has a narcotic effect.
- You are addicted to the excessive use of intoxicating liquor (alcohol).
- A competent court or authority (one with the legal power) has declared you disqualified. This lasts while the disqualification is in force.
- A competent court or authority has suspended your licence. This lasts while the suspension is in force.
- A competent court or authority has cancelled your licence. This lasts for the period in which you may not apply for a licence.
- You already hold a licence that lets you drive that class of vehicle. You cannot get another licence for the same class.
Reasons about health:
- uncontrolled epilepsy
- sudden attacks of disabling giddiness (dizziness) or fainting, from hypertension (high blood pressure) or any other cause
- mental illness so serious that you must be detained, supervised, controlled and treated as a patient under the Mental Health Act
- any condition that causes muscular incoordination (muscles that do not work together)
- uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
- defective vision (poor eyesight), measured against a prescribed (set) standard
- any other disease or physical defect likely to make you unable to drive and control that class of vehicle without endangering public safety
Deafness on its own does not disqualify you.
What must you keep with you when you drive?
You must keep your licence with you in the vehicle when you drive on a public road. You must also drive in accordance with (in line with) the conditions of your licence.
What must you do if you move house?
You must give notice of your new address within 14 days after the change. This applies to every holder of a licence to drive. It applies only when the change of your place of residence (where you live) is permanent.
Give the notice to the registering authority in whose area you ordinarily live. Give it in the prescribed manner (the way the law sets out). You must give both your new residential address and your new postal address.
May you let an unlicensed person drive your car?
No. The owner of a motor vehicle may not employ or permit an unlicensed person to drive it on a public road. The other person must be licensed to drive that vehicle. The same rule applies to the operator of the vehicle and to anyone in charge or control of it.
The owner is also responsible for all offences committed with the vehicle on a public road. This applies if the owner permitted the use of the vehicle. So be careful about who you lend your car to.
Who needs a professional driving permit?
A person who drives a motor vehicle of a prescribed class (a class named in the law) on a public road needs one. That driver must drive in accordance with the conditions of the permit. The driver must also keep the permit with them in the vehicle.
There is one exception for learners. The holder of a learner's licence does not need the permit when a registered professional driver accompanies them. That person must be registered as a professional driver for that class of vehicle.
How long is a vehicle licence disc valid?
A motor vehicle licence and licence disc are valid for 12 months. This is the licence for the vehicle, not for the driver. The 12 months run from the first day of the month in which the licence and disc were issued. The date of expiry must be shown on the motor vehicle licence and on the licence disc.
There is a period of grace of 21 days after the date of expiry. During those 21 days the vehicle may still be operated on a public road. The licence number and the licence disc issued before the expiry must be displayed in the prescribed manner.
The fine print
The two photographs for your application may be black and white or colour.
The medical certificate on form MC must be signed by a medical practitioner or an occupational health practitioner. It must certify that you are not disqualified from getting a learner's or driving licence.
With a code 2 learner's licence you may drive only the vehicles it authorises. A driving licence is the licence to drive that is not provisional.
Numbers to remember
- 17 years: the youngest you may be to get a code 2 learner's licence
- 18 years: the youngest you may be to get a code 3 learner's licence
- 24 months: how long a learner's licence is valid
- 3500 kilograms: the most the Tare, the Gross Vehicle Mass and the Gross Combination Mass may each be for code 2
- Two identical photographs: what you hand in with form LL1
- 65 years of age or older: you need a medical certificate on form MC to apply
- 14 days: the time you have to give notice after a permanent change of address
- 12 months: how long a motor vehicle licence and licence disc are valid
- 21 days: the period of grace after a motor vehicle licence and licence disc expire
Mistakes learners make
- Mixing up the ages. You must be at least 17 for code 2 and at least 18 for code 3.
- Thinking a code 2 learner's licence covers a motorcycle. It does not cover a motorcycle or a motor tricycle.
- Thinking you may drive alone once you hold a learner's licence. You must always be under the direct supervision of a licensed driver.
- Mixing up 14 days and 21 days. You have 14 days to give notice of a new address. A licence disc has 21 days of grace after it expires.
- Thinking deafness stops you from getting a licence. Deafness on its own does not disqualify you.
Test yourself
Question 1
A person who has never held a licence wishes to be trained to drive a vehicle on a public road. What is required before the training may legally commence?
Show answer
Answer: C: The person must hold a learner's licence
You must have a learner's licence before anyone may legally train you to drive on a public road.
Question 2
For what period is a learner's licence valid once the approved learner's licence test has been passed?
Show answer
Answer: C: 24 months
After you pass the test, your learner's licence is valid for 24 months.
Question 3
You hold a code 2 learner's licence and intend to drive a motor vehicle. What is the maximum Tare, Gross Vehicle Mass or Gross Combination Mass that such a vehicle is permitted to have?
Show answer
Answer: B: 3500 kilograms
With a code 2 learner's licence, the Tare, Gross Vehicle Mass and Gross Combination Mass must each be 3500 kilograms or less.
Question 4
You hold a code 2 learner's licence and intend to drive a light motor vehicle on a public road. Under which condition are you permitted to drive?
Show answer
Answer: A: Only under the direct supervision of another person
With a code 2 learner's licence you must drive under the direct supervision of another person.
Question 5
You hold a code 2 learner's licence and require a person to supervise you while you drive. Which licence must that person hold?
Show answer
Answer: C: A driving licence for the applicable class of vehicle
The person who supervises you must hold a driving licence for the class of vehicle you are driving.
Question 6
What is the minimum age at which a person is permitted to obtain a code 2 learner's licence?
Show answer
Answer: B: 17 years
You must be at least 17 years old to get a code 2 learner's licence.
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