Frequently asked questions

The app is available from the Apple and Google Play App stores.

Yes, the app covers light motor vehicles, heavy motor vehicles and motorcycles.

The learner's licence books cover all the learning information that you need to know to pass your learner's licence. The mobile app is a testing tool that helps you gauge whether you know the contents of the book, but it doesn't provide the learning material that the book does.

You can email apps@penguinrandomhouse.co.za

No, unfortunately this is not possible.

Motorcycles 125 cc or less (without a sidecar): 16 years of age
Light motor vehicles not more than 3 500 kg: 17 years of age
All other vehicles (including motorcycles over 125 cc): 18 years of age

A learner's licence is valid for 24 months.

The test is an hour long, which gives you one minute to answer each question.

The examiner can tell you how you did in each section, but once you have completed the test you will not be able to view your paper or see which questions you got wrong. This is standard practice.

Please phone your local testing station and ask them.

There is nothing in the legislation concerning L-Plates. They are not a requirement and are purely optional.

An L sign is useful for making other drivers aware that you are a learner driver. This can result in their being more prepared and hopefully less impatient should your driving not be as one might expect from an experienced driver. This in turn can keep your own stress levels down while driving.

Remember, though, that nothing may be placed on the windscreen, and the driver's view through the rear window must not be obscured.

Yes, you may carry passengers under certain circumstances.

Contact the traffic department closest to you. They handle the issuing of the various certificates and licences.

Here are a few useful websites:

Convert your foreign driving licence: https://www.gov.za/services/driving-licence-driving/convert-foreign-driving-licence

Apply for traffic register number: https://www.gov.za/services/driving-licence-driving/apply-traffic-register-number

Foreign driving licences: http://www.enatis.com/index.php/faqs/77-faqs/205-foreigndrivinglicences

No. That would be illegal. The law states that the learner driver must be "under the direct personal supervision" of a person who holds a valid driving licence authorising him or her to drive that class of vehicle.

Such a person is there to take control of the vehicle in the event that this becomes necessary. The law also states that no one is permitted to be in control of a motor vehicle while the engine is running if that person's blood or breath contains alcohol in excess of the permissible level. A drunk person would definitely be over the permissible limit and therefore not allowed to take control of the vehicle.

The National Road Traffic Act of South Africa does not (yet) require that driving lessons be taken in order to take the official K53 driving test.

However, it is better to learn from a driving instructor as they will prevent you from learning bad driving habits. It is preferable to take lessons with an instructor who is registered with the Southern African Institute of Driving Instructors, SAIDI.

All driving instructors must be registered.

You are allowed to use your own vehicle for the test. Be sure it is roadworthy.

Tip: Make sure the handbrake can hold the vehicle stationary on an incline, in neutral without using the footbrake. The examiner is likely to ask you to remove your foot from the brake pedal when stopped on the incline for the Incline Start manoeuvre. If your vehicle rolls back even slightly because the handbrake is not holding it, you'll fail the test because the vehicle will be deemed un-roadworthy.

It would be best to make sure in advance by checking with the testing station concerned, or with http://www.enatis.com

Please contact your local traffic department directly.

Have the car taken to a roadworthy testing facility and ask them to advise whether the car would pass or fail the roadworthy, based on the extent of the crack.

However, this will not guarantee that the testing officer will agree, and s/he might still say the car is un-roadworthy and fail you.

If you have any doubt at all, it would be best to use a different and roadworthy vehicle.

There is no law forbidding the use of reverse sensors. If the traffic official refuses to let you continue with your driving test because your car has reverse sensors, you need to lodge an appeal against him/her.

The key word here is 'check'. You physically need to check the car, not just say that you have. The requirements are spelled out in The New Official K53 Manual.

The driving test includes a manoeuvre called the three-point turn. The requirements for this manoeuvre are given in The New Official K53 Manual. It is a U-turn but in a road area that is too narrow to turn without having to stop at the kerb, reverse and then complete the turn.

No, you must remain in the vehicle while performing the yard test manoeuvres.

It is not a requirement of the test to remove your foot from the foot (service) brake after you have stopped. However, the examiners can and do insist that once you have stopped the vehicle, applied the handbrake, and placed the gear in neutral, you should take both feet off the pedals (clutch and brake).

The examiners do this to check that the handbrake is able to hold the vehicle still without support from the footbrake. If the vehicle rolls, this indicates that it is not roadworthy. Using a vehicle that is not roadworthy will result in an immediate fail.

The best thing to do during your driving test when facing a steady amber light is to stop behind the white line, provided it is safe to do so.

If you don't stop at a pedestrian crossing in accordance with the rules of the road, you will fail the test for breaking the law.

Please contact eNaTIS - National Traffic Information System, or phone your local testing station.

If you pass your licence using an automatic transmission vehicle, you can only drive an automatic transmission vehicle.

If you pass your licence with a manual transmission vehicle, you can drive both a manual and an automatic transmission vehicle.

It would be best to contact the AA who handle International Driving Permits and see if they can advise/help you. https://www.aa.co.za/productsmembership/international-driving-permit

There is nothing in the law that states it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle barefoot.

Yes. Be sure to maintain any minimum speed requirements, as well as all other freeway rules and the requirement to have a person with you who holds a valid driving licence for that class of vehicle. (This requirement does not apply to a motorcycle.)

Yes, at least one double-sided reflective triangle, to SABS specifications, must be carried in all motor vehicles. Cars that were first registered before 1 July 2006 are exempted.

The maximum distance for a dipped beam to strike the road surface is 45 m ahead of the vehicle.

You may not drive to the left of 'the yellow line' unless it is to allow other vehicles to overtake you, and then only under the following conditions:

It must be a single-lane roadway (i.e. only one lane for traffic moving in that direction).

It must be between sunrise and sunset.

It must be safe to do so.

Visibility must be good for at least 150 m ahead.

You need to pass the learner's licence test for motorcycles. Once you have the learner's licence you are allowed to ride alone. The learner's licence is valid for 24 months. Before it expires you need to do the driving licence test to obtain your motorcycle driving licence.

It is not yet a legal requirement to take riding lessons in order to do the driving licence test. However, in the interests of your own safety, and to pass the K53 driving test, it is recommended that you do take lessons with a competent instructor.

16 years for a motorcycle without a side-car, and with an engine cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cc;
18 years for a motorcycle with an engine capacity exceeding 125 cc.

Yes. You need a learner's licence for the class of vehicle you wish to drive/ride. You need a separate learner's licence for a motorcycle - either a Code A or a Code A1, depending on the engine size. You cannot use a light vehicle learner's licence as authority to ride a motorcycle.

You may only drive a vehicle for which you have a valid licence.

A code A1 licence authorises you to ride a motorcycle without a side-car, with an engine capacity that does not exceed 125 cc. That licence is not valid for a motorcycle of 150 cc.

A light motor vehicle driving licence code B is not valid for a motorcycle of any engine capacity.

In order to ride a 150 cc motorcycle you need to do the learner's licence test (again) and then the practical driving licence test for a Code A driving licence.

Please visit http://www.k53-test.co.za/learners-test-what-you-must-know

You'll find more information on the use of the controls in The New Official K53 Manual.

It would be best to ask your riding instructor or contact your local testing station for information. There is also a website that may have contact information for the various provinces: http://www.enatis.com

The best would be to do a Google search or check in the yellow pages for driving schools teaching motorcycle riding for the K53 test.

There are two different codes for motorcycle driving licences:

Code A1: A motorcycle 125 cc or less (With this licence you may not drive a motorcycle with an engine capacity greater than 125 cc)

Code A: Greater than 125 cc

To ride a motorcycle of any size, you need to pass your licence on a motor cycle with an engine capacity greater than 125 cc. Without a Code A driving licence you are not authorised to drive a motorcycle over 125 cc.

The criteria for motorcycle licences relate to the engine capacity of the bike you intend to drive and be licenced for.

A scooter is a motorcycle, so provided you are applying for a licence for the correct engine size, you should be fine using a scooter with that engine capacity (cc's).

The official K53 document states "The examiner shall guide the applicant to the starting point of every manoeuvre."

You are allowed to ask the examiner questions with regard to the general requirements for doing the test.

No. There is no legislation that authorises motorcycles to drive on the painted lane line. The line is to separate lanes of traffic, and traffic must travel within the markings, except when legally crossing a line to change lanes or overtake.

Only motorcycles over 50 cc are allowed on a freeway in South Africa. Motorcycles of 50 cc or less are not allowed.

A motorcycle rider with a learner's licence is allowed to drive on any public road, including a freeway.

Note: A motorcycle learner's licence does not permit you to carry a passenger, not even an instructor.

Yes, you need an additional permit for transporting fare-paying passengers, depending on your circumstances.

To obtain the exact requirements according to your own specific situation (e.g. whether you are a taxi driver, a taxi business operator, etc.) it would be best to phone your local traffic department and tell them your situation. They can then advise you what is required, how to apply, and so on.

There is no specific distance in metres required for signalling the intention to turn.

Yes. The temporary version of any regulatory sign - such as a speed limit sign - must be obeyed. Failure to do so is an offence for which the driver can be fined. Yellow temporary signs take precedence over any permanent version that may be situated close by. Usually the permanent version would be covered up to avoid any confusion, though this may not always be the case.

You may only drive on the left of the yellow line if:

• it is a two-way road (vehicles travelling in opposite directions, with only one lane on each side of the dividing line), AND
• it is while being overtaken, AND
• it is between sunrise and sunset, AND
• you can do so safely, AND
• visibility is good for 150 metres ahead.

You can look up Regulation 298A for the laws on this matter.