How to get your Learner’s Licence

How to get your Learner’s Licence

It’s against the law to drive any vehicle without having a driver’s license, and you can only drive a vehicle with your Learner’s license if you have someone who has a Driver’s license sitting next to you, supervising you.

Here’s how to get your Learner’s License:

A Learner’s license is a permit saying that you have passed a test that shows you know the rules of the road. It is a theoretical test that you can do in writing or orally at any testing station. Many schools also facilitate this test at school so enquire before you go book your Learner’s at a testing station.

If you book your test individually (not through your school), you need to physically go to a testing station and book your Driver’s License.

You must be 16 years old or older to go for your Learner’s test for a motorcycle with an engine less than 125 cc and 18 years or older if the engine is over 125 cc. For a car, minibus or bus, you must be 17 years or older before you can go for the Learner’s test.

Your Learner’s License is valid for 24 months and can’t be extended. This means, you will have to rewrite the test if you don’t get your Driver’s License during the 24 months your Learner’s License is valid for.

To study for the test, you can buy a Learner’s License Manual at a testing station or at any C.N.A or P.N.A store.

The test is multiple choice so be sure to learn the content well so that you don’t get confused by trick questions.

Take these with you when you book your Learner’s License:

• Your ID document
• Two identical black-and-white ID photographs
• The booking fee (phone the testing station to get the latest fee)
• Proof of postal and residential address, so take a utility account with you. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must get an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit. 
• If you stay in an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your postal and residential address.

You will need to complete an application form and go for an eye test at the station. (You can also go for an eye test at an optometrist and take the test results with you).

On the day of the test, you will need to produce your ID and your receipt for your Learner’s License.

You will need to pay an Issue fee if you pass the test and you will receive your Learner’s License on the same day.

After you get your Learner’s License, you can start learning how to drive.