Everything you need to know about professional driving permits (PrDP)
Do you want/need a professional driver permit but you aren’t sure if you qualify or how to go about it? Check out our easy guide and see what you need to do.
Firstly, what is a professional driver’s permit or PrDP?
If you want to drive on South African public roads transporting goods, dangerous goods or passengers for an income you must obtain a professional driving permit. The permit is issued in addition to an ordinary driving licence. A PrDP applies to the following motor vehicle categories:
A goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3 500kg.
A minibus weighing more than 3 500kg or designed to carry 12 or more people (the driver included).
Light motor vehicles, indicated in the economic sector for carrying passengers for reward.
A motor vehicle designed to carry 12 or more people.
Any vehicle for which an operating licence is issued
dangerous goods vehicle.
How do you get one?
You must be in possession of a valid SA Driver’s Licence for the type of vehicle for which the permit is intended. For instance, this means that you cannot apply for a PrDP for a truck, if you are only licensed to drive a motorcycle.
You must comply with the age limitations specific to the type of permit for which you are applying. Generally, the age requirement is over 21 or over 25 years of age.
You must be in possession of a recent medical report obtained from a suitably qualified medical practitioner confirming that you are not disqualified from holding a SA driver’s licence or PrDP.
You cannot have been convicted or paid an admission of guilt fine for a period of 5 years prior to date of your application, for the following criminal offences:
Driving under the influence of alcohol, or under the influence of a drug that has a narcotic effect .
Driving while the concentration of alcohol in your blood, or breath specimen, exceeds the legal limit
Reckless driving.
You must not have had your SA Driver’s Licence or PrDP suspended, or cancelled, for that period.
For more information on PrDP’s and how to obtain one, check out the official government website.