PDP License Requirements

PDP license requirements come down to two things that must match the vehicle you drive: a valid driving licence code for that vehicle, and a professional driving permit (PrDP) in the right category (G, P or D). To get the permit you must meet the category’s minimum age, be certified medically fit on form MC within two months of applying, have no disqualifying conviction in the past five years, and apply on form PD1 at a driving licence testing centre (DLTC).

A PDP licence, properly called a PrDP licence since the professional driving permit replaced the old public driving permit, is not a separate licence. It is printed on your driving licence card and only works for vehicles your licence code already allows you to drive. This page explains which licence the PDP is for, which code and category pair your job needs, and the rules that catch drivers out.

Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance

Under regulation 115 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, you need a PrDP to drive any of these on a public road:

• a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) over 3 500 kg
• a breakdown vehicle (tow truck), whatever its mass
• a bus
• a minibus over 3 500 kg GVM, or one designed or adapted to carry 12 or more people including the driver
• any motor vehicle carrying people for reward
• any motor vehicle carrying 12 or more people including the driver
• a dangerous goods vehicle over 3 500 kg GVM, or a road tanker built to the petroleum or dangerous goods tanker standards

Typical pairings of licence code and permit category (the codes are the official gov.za definitions):

• E-hailing or metered taxi car: Code B plus PrDP P.
• Minibus taxi or a 12-plus-seater for a school, church or club: Code B if its GVM is 3 500 kg or less, otherwise C1, plus PrDP P.
• Bus: C1 (GVM 3 500 kg to 16 000 kg) or C (over 16 000 kg), plus PrDP P.
• Rigid truck over 3 500 kg: C1 or C, plus PrDP G.
• Truck-tractor and trailer: EC1 or EC, plus PrDP G.
• Tow truck: the code for its mass, plus PrDP G.
• Fuel tanker or other dangerous goods vehicle: C, C1, EC1 or EC as the vehicle requires, plus PrDP D.

Licence and Eligibility Requirements

The permit never extends your licence. Regulation 116(3) says a PrDP only applies to a vehicle for which you hold a valid driving licence. A Code B driver with PrDP P can drive a sedan for e-hailing or a light minibus taxi, but not a 60-seater bus. For that you first need Code C1 or C.

The categories stack. Category G covers goods vehicles over 3 500 kg and breakdown vehicles. Category P covers everything in G plus buses, minibuses, vehicles carrying 12 or more people and passengers for reward. Category D covers every vehicle on the regulation 115 list, including dangerous goods. Gov.za sets the minimum ages at 18 for G, 21 for P and 25 for D.

What disqualifies you. Regulation 117 bars a permit if, in the past five years, you were convicted of or paid an admission of guilt fine for drunk or drugged driving, driving over the alcohol limit, or reckless driving. For P and D, an offence involving violence also counts. You are also barred while your licence or permit is suspended or cancelled, or if you are not certified medically fit.

A refusal can be referred to the MEC. Under regulation 125, if you meet every other requirement but were refused on medical grounds or because of one of those convictions, you can ask the DLTC to refer your application to the provincial MEC for transport. You must give your reasons, and the centre adds its own recommendation. The MEC decides whether the permit may be issued.

Who is exempt. Regulation 115(2) excludes traffic officers and vehicle examiners on duty, hearse drivers, tractor drivers, and a learner driver with the correct learner’s code who is accompanied by a PrDP holder authorised for that vehicle.

Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements

The PrDP is issued to you, not to a vehicle, so the application has no vehicle inspection or driving test. The rules that link the permit to the vehicle are these:

• Towing counts. Regulation 116(2) treats drawing a vehicle on the regulation 115 list as driving it. Towing a bus or heavy goods trailer therefore needs the permit category for that vehicle.
• Owners and operators are liable too. Regulation 124 prohibits an owner, operator or person in control of a vehicle on the list from letting anyone drive it on a public road without a PrDP in the right category. Fleet owners and taxi owners should check both the code and the category on each driver’s card.
• The permit cannot be lent. The same regulation bars a holder from letting anyone else use their permit.
• Private use is not always exempt. A minibus built for 12 or more people, or any vehicle carrying 12 or more people, needs a PrDP even when nobody is paid, for example a church or sports club minibus.

The vehicle itself must still be licensed and roadworthy, and passenger services may also need an operating licence for the vehicle and route. That is a separate requirement from your permit.

Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence

Regulation 118 lists what must go with a PrDP application on form PD1:

• the original driving licence that covers the vehicle the permit is for
• acceptable identification (SA ID, driving licence card or valid SA passport)
• form MC, the medical certificate, signed not more than two months before you apply
• photographs. The regulation says two and gov.za lists four, so ask your DLTC.
• for category D, a certificate from an approved dangerous goods training body, not more than six months old
• any professional or public driving permit you already hold
• the fee set by your province

Gov.za also asks for proof of residential address. You do not bring a police clearance certificate: the DLTC asks the South African Police Service for a conviction report, and police may take your fingerprints for it.

Lost or stolen card with a PrDP on it: under regulation 121 you apply for a duplicate on form PD1 with your ID, two photographs, the fee and a declaration on form DCT. No new medical or police report is needed. If the permit would expire within three months anyway, you must apply for a new permit instead.

Registration or Application Process

1. Check your licence code first. If it does not cover the vehicle, get the right code before you apply for the permit.
2. Choose the category for the work. Carrying passengers for reward needs P, even in a car. Dangerous goods need D and the training certificate.
3. Get form MC completed by a registered medical practitioner or occupational health practitioner, close to your application date.
4. Apply at a DLTC on form PD1. Forms are free at DLTCs and on the NaTIS road traffic forms page. Gov.za directs Gauteng applicants to online.natis.gov.za.
5. Wait for the checks. The permit is authorised once the police report and medical are cleared. Gov.za gives a maximum of 12 weeks. You are notified to collect the card, and unclaimed cards are defaced after 120 days.

Renewal timing matters. A PrDP is valid for 24 months (regulation 122), and each renewal is a full reapplication with a new medical and police check. If you apply on or before the expiry date, your old permit stays valid until the new one is issued, for up to four months, as long as you carry the old card and proof of payment. The new permit then runs for 24 months from the day after the old one expired, so renewing early costs you nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PDP licence in South Africa?

It is the professional driving permit (PrDP), an authorisation printed on your driving licence card that lets you drive heavy goods vehicles, breakdown vehicles, buses, minibuses, dangerous goods vehicles or any vehicle carrying passengers for reward. The name PDP comes from the older public driving permit it replaced.

What do I need for a PDP license?

A valid driving licence code for the vehicle, the minimum age for your category (18, 21 or 25), a form MC medical certificate under two months old, no disqualifying convictions in five years, form PD1, ID, photographs, proof of address and the fee. For category D, you also need a training certificate.

Can I drive a bus with a Code B licence and a PrDP?

Only if the bus has a GVM of 3 500 kg or less, which Code B covers. Heavier buses need Code C1 or C as well as PrDP P, because the permit only applies to vehicles your licence covers.

Do I need a PDP to drive my church or club minibus?

Yes, if the minibus is designed for 12 or more people including the driver, or is over 3 500 kg GVM. The requirement applies whether or not you are paid, and the category is P.

Does a tow truck driver need a PrDP?

Yes. Breakdown vehicles are on the list regardless of mass, and category G (or higher) covers them.

I have a drunk-driving conviction from three years ago. Can I still get a PDP?

Not automatically, because it falls inside the five-year window. If you meet every other requirement, you can ask the DLTC to refer your application to the MEC with your reasons, and the MEC decides.

Can my employer let me drive a truck while my PrDP is being processed?

Not on a first application, because the owner or operator may not let anyone without a valid permit in the right category drive the vehicle. The only interim cover is for renewals lodged on or before expiry.

These rules come from regulations 115 to 127 of the National Road Traffic Regulations and gov.za’s professional driving permit service. Fees are set by each province, and ages and procedures can change, so confirm on gov.za’s PrDP page or with your provincial licensing authority or driving licence testing centre. See PDP requirements, rideshare driver requirements and browse all driving and transport requirements.