The 30-second version
- You need a PrDP if you drive for reward: e-hailing (Uber/Bolt), taxi, bus, goods vehicles over 3,500kg GVM, or dangerous goods.
- Three categories: P (passengers), G (goods), D (dangerous goods) — you can hold more than one.
- You must already hold the relevant driving licence code before applying.
- A medical certificate from a registered practitioner, done within about 2 months of applying, is compulsory.
- Valid for a maximum of 2 years — renewed separately from your driving licence card.
A Professional Driving Permit is South Africa's additional layer of authorisation for anyone driving as part of earning an income, not just getting around. It sits on top of your ordinary driving licence rather than replacing it, and it comes with its own medical requirement, application process and renewal cycle — one that's easy to lose track of since it doesn't expire on the same schedule as your licence card.
Which process do you actually need?
A PrDP is an add-on, not a starting point. Here's how it fits with the rest of the licensing process:
- Don't have any driving licence yet? Start with our learner's licence and driver's licence (K53 test) guides — you need a full licence in the right code first.
- Already licensed and planning to drive for reward? This guide covers the PrDP application on top of that licence.
- Licence card expiring? That's a separate, unrelated process — see driving licence card renewal.
Who actually needs a PrDP?
A PrDP is required for driving a vehicle for reward or in specific higher-risk categories. The three categories are:
| Code | Covers |
|---|---|
| P | Passengers — taxis, buses, and vehicles conveying people for reward, including e-hailing |
| G | Goods — vehicles with a gross vehicle mass over 3,500kg |
| D | Dangerous goods — vehicles transporting hazardous substances or dangerous goods |
You apply for the category matching the driving licence code you already hold and the work you'll actually be doing. It's possible to hold more than one PrDP category if your work spans, say, both passenger and goods transport.
Before you apply: the medical certificate
Unlike an ordinary licence application, a PrDP requires a formal medical examination — not just the DLTC's basic eye-test screening. You'll need a certificate from a registered medical practitioner confirming your fitness to drive professionally, covering vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and any conditions that could affect safe driving. Most DLTCs require this certificate to be recent, typically within about two months of your application, so book it close to your DLTC visit rather than well in advance.
Documents to bring
PrDP application checklist
- Your ID — green barcoded ID book, Smart ID card, or valid passport for foreign applicants with correct work authorisation.
- Your current driving licence — valid, for the code matching the PrDP category you're applying for.
- The medical certificate — completed on the prescribed form by a registered practitioner.
- Proof of residential address — dated within the last 3 months.
- ID photographs — check the exact number your DLTC requires.
- The application form — completed at the counter or in advance where the centre allows it.
- The fee — bring cash. Many DLTCs still don't accept cards.
The application, step by step
- Get your medical exam doneBook with a practitioner who offers the PrDP medical — many private GPs and occupational health clinics do this routinely.
- Book or queue at the DLTCSome centres allow booking; others are walk-in only. Bring every document listed above — a missing medical certificate is the single most common reason people get turned away.
- Submit your application and payA clerk verifies your licence, ID and medical certificate, then processes the fee.
- Photo and verificationYour photo is captured, and your details are checked against your existing licence record.
- Collect your PrDPIssued as a separate card or document from your driving licence — carry both when you drive for reward.
What it costs
Fees are set nationally but vary slightly by province, and you'll also pay separately for the medical exam. As a rough guide for 2026:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| PrDP application fee (DLTC) | ≈ R200–R300 |
| Medical examination (private practitioner) | Varies — get a quote upfront |
Always confirm the exact amount with your DLTC — and assume cash only for the DLTC fee unless told otherwise.
Renewal — don't assume it matches your licence card
A PrDP is valid for a maximum of two years, which is very often shorter than your driving licence card's five-year cycle. That mismatch is the single biggest reason professional drivers get caught with an expired PrDP while their driving licence is still perfectly valid — the two run on independent clocks, and only one of them gives you a reminder in the form of a card that's visibly out of date. Diarise your PrDP expiry separately, and start the renewal process — including a fresh medical certificate — a few weeks before it lapses.
Common mistakes
- Letting the PrDP lapse because attention was on the driving licence card's expiry date instead.
- Booking the medical exam too far in advance, so it's no longer "recent" by the time you apply.
- Applying for the wrong category — check what your actual work requires (P, G or D) before paying the fee.
- Assuming a valid driving licence is enough for e-hailing without checking the platform's specific PrDP requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Buying a car to drive for Uber, Bolt or delivery work?
Commercial use means more kilometres and less margin for error. Run a proper inspection before you commit — see what actually holds up under daily driving.
See the 60-point inspection →This guide is general information for South African motorists, not official confirmation. Processes, fees and timeframes change and vary by province and centre, and e-hailing platform requirements can change independently of road traffic law. Always verify current requirements with NaTIS (natis.gov.za), the RTMC, your local Driving Licence Testing Centre, or your e-hailing platform before you go.
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