You’ve been job hunting but you realise that lots of vacancies require a person with a driver’s licence. You do want to get your driver’s licence, so it’s a great incentive, but you don’t know where to start.

Here’s a quick guide to the first step of driving freedom… getting your learner’s licence!

1. All about your Learner’s Licence
The learner’s licence exam tests your theoretical knowledge on how to drive and obey the rules of the road. This can be done at a traffic department near you. Here are some examples of the things you’ll need to know: what different road signs mean, the different rules of the road, and how you control a vehicle (for instance, where the accelerator is, and how to start a car).

You can only write your learner’s licence test once you’ve turned 17 years old. The way it works is that you can get your learner’s licence a year before you are legally able to apply for a driver’s licence.

2. Before you book… STUDY!!!
To pass any test, you must prepare well, the learner’s licence is no exception. It is beneficial to organise your study material before you book your learner’s as the date you receive to write could be days, weeks or months away from the booking date. The tests are not easy, so you need enough studying time to know the information well.

Study everything you need to know using the K53 book: This book is available in book stores and maybe even your local grocery store. Some driving schools also offer classes for the learner’s licence at a cost. You should also be able to borrow the K53 book from your public library.

Test your knowledge using online tests or apps: There are some awesome websites which have online tests you can practice with. I would not suggest relying solely on these. Study the handbook first and then use the online sites to test your knowledge. Try out K53 (they charge R30 for the all-inclusive bundle but free tests are available) and GetYourLearners

3. Go on… make that booking 😉
When you make the booking be sure to take along the following:
• Your ID book
• Two identical black and white ID photos (phone to find out from the traffic department if there is a photo booth close by as these are generally set up to take the perfect pictures)
• The amount you need to book the test (price varies according to location)
• Proof of your postal and residential address (i.e. a utility bill). If you don’t have a utility bill in your name, the owner of the utility bill must make 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.

Once you’ve made a booking, keep the booking receipt in a safe place!

Visit the Gov.za site to get details about the test and contact numbers for your nearest traffic department.

4. What happens when you make your booking
At the traffic department, you will need to fill in the LL1 form to book your learner’s licence test. Most of us just want to be able to drive a normal car, this is the Code 2 licence.

Other codes you might be interested in are:
Code 1: motorcycle with or without a side car, motor tricyle or quadrucle.
Code 3: a heavy vehicle with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3,500kg.

You will also need to get an eye test at the testing centre. This test is compulsory. If you wear glasses, take them with you, or take a note from your optometrist if necessary.

Once you’ve made a booking, keep the booking receipt which has the date of the test and other details in a safe place! Don’t forget to study and diarise the date and time of the appointment.

5. Doing the test
On the day of your test you must take your ID and the booking receipt. If you pass the test you must pay the issue fee and then you’ll be given your learner’s licence.

Once you’ve got your learner’s licence you can start the process of learning to drive.

Your learner’s licence is valid for 2 years, so be sure to practice a lot and get ready to pass your driver’s in that time. If you don’t get your driver’s licence in the required time you’ll need to start the process from the beginning again. Believe me, it’s not worth the PT. So get practising and on the road with a trusted driving instructor as soon as you can.

Good luck!

Tell Us: Have you booked your learner’s licence yet?