PrDP Professional Driving Permit — Complete Guide 2026
A Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) is an additional authorisation required by anyone who drives commercially in South Africa — whether you’re hauling freight on the N3, driving an Uber in Sandton, or operating a school bus in Stellenbosch. The PrDP sits on top of your driving licence, not instead of it.
What Is a PrDP?
The PrDP is a permit issued under the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996) and its regulations. It confirms that a driver has been vetted, medically examined, and authorised to carry passengers or goods for reward.
Your driving licence proves you can drive. Your PrDP proves you’re fit to drive professionally — medically, legally, and ethically. Without it, carrying passengers or goods commercially is an offence, regardless of how valid your driving licence is.
The PrDP is printed as an endorsement on your driving licence card. When you receive your updated card, the PrDP category and expiry date appear alongside your licence code details.
PrDP Categories
There are three PrDP categories, each covering a different type of professional driving:
PrDP G — Goods
Required when operating a vehicle with a GVM exceeding 3,500 kg for the conveyance of goods for reward. This applies to Code 10 and Code 14 drivers working in logistics, delivery, and transport.
Who needs PrDP G:
- Long-haul truck drivers
- Delivery drivers operating vehicles above 3,500 kg GVM
- Furniture removal operators using heavy vehicles
- Construction material transporters
- Any driver moving goods commercially in a vehicle exceeding 3,500 kg GVM
Validity: 5 years from date of issue.
PrDP P — Passengers
Required when operating any vehicle that conveys passengers for reward. This is the category that affects the most people — including every e-hailing driver in the country.
Who needs PrDP P:
- Uber and Bolt drivers
- Metered taxi drivers
- Minibus taxi drivers
- Tour bus operators
- School transport operators
- Shuttle service drivers
- Any driver carrying passengers for payment, regardless of vehicle size
Validity: 2 years from date of issue (shorter than G and D due to the higher safety stakes of passenger transport).
PrDP D — Dangerous Goods
Required when transporting dangerous goods as defined by the National Road Traffic Act — fuel, chemicals, explosives, radioactive materials, compressed gases, and other hazardous substances.
Who needs PrDP D:
- Fuel tanker drivers
- Chemical transport operators
- Gas cylinder delivery drivers
- Explosives transport (mining sector)
- Any driver carrying classified dangerous goods
Validity: 5 years from date of issue.
Note: You can hold multiple PrDP categories simultaneously. A driver transporting dangerous goods in a tanker truck would need both PrDP G and PrDP D.
Age Requirements
PrDP age requirements vary by category and are stricter than standard licence age limits:
| Category | Minimum Age | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| PrDP G (Goods) | 18 years | Aligned with Code C1/EC minimum |
| PrDP P (Passengers) | 21 years | Maturity requirement for passenger safety |
| PrDP D (Dangerous Goods) | 25 years | Highest responsibility threshold |
These ages are non-negotiable. A 20-year-old with a valid Code 14 licence cannot obtain a PrDP P to drive an Uber — they must wait until 21.
Application Process
PrDP applications are submitted at your local Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC), the same facility where you obtained your driving licence.
Step-by-step process:
- Obtain a medical certificate — Visit a registered medical practitioner for a PrDP medical examination. The doctor assesses vision, hearing, physical fitness, and general health. Certain medical conditions (epilepsy, uncontrolled diabetes, severe cardiac conditions) may disqualify you or require specialist clearance.
- Gather your documents (see full list below).
- Visit your nearest DLTC — Submit your application in person. You cannot apply online or by post.
- Pay the application fee — Fees vary by municipality but are generally R100-R200 (2026).
- Fingerprinting and photograph — Taken at the DLTC during your application appointment.
- Background check — The DLTC submits your fingerprints to SAPS for a criminal record check. This is the primary cause of processing delays.
- Wait for processing — The application goes through municipal processing, SAPS clearance, and card production.
- Collect your updated licence card — Your PrDP endorsement is printed on a new driving licence card.
Documents Needed
Bring the following to your DLTC appointment:
- South African ID document (original, not a copy)
- Valid driving licence card (original)
- Medical certificate — completed by a registered doctor within the preceding 60 days
- Two ID-sized colour photographs
- Proof of residential address (utility bill, bank statement, or municipal account — not older than 3 months)
- Application fee payment
- Existing PrDP card, if you’re renewing
For PrDP D (Dangerous Goods) only:
- Proof of completing an approved dangerous goods training course
- The training course certificate must be current and from an accredited provider
Medical Examination Cost
The PrDP medical is a separate appointment from your DLTC visit. You need to see a doctor first, then bring the completed medical certificate to the testing centre.
Medical examination costs (2026):
- General practitioner: R200-R500
- The exam covers vision testing, hearing assessment, blood pressure, physical mobility, and a general health evaluation
- Some occupational health practitioners offer PrDP-specific medical packages
- If the doctor identifies issues requiring specialist referral, costs increase accordingly
Where to get the medical done:
- Any registered medical practitioner can conduct the examination
- Some driving schools partner with doctors who handle PrDP medicals regularly and know exactly what forms to complete
- Occupational health clinics near industrial areas often process PrDP medicals in volume
Ensure the doctor uses the correct prescribed form. An incorrectly completed medical certificate will be rejected at the DLTC, requiring you to return to the doctor and pay again.
Processing Time
This is where patience becomes essential.
Official processing time: The regulations don’t specify a maximum, but DLTCs typically quote 4-12 weeks.
Actual experience: Many applicants report waiting 6-12 weeks, with some cases extending beyond 12 weeks. The bottleneck is almost always the SAPS criminal record check.
Factors that affect processing time:
- Your DLTC’s workload and staffing capacity
- SAPS processing queue for fingerprint verification
- Card production and delivery logistics
- Any flags on your criminal record requiring additional review
What you can do while waiting:
- Nothing, unfortunately. You cannot drive commercially without the PrDP, and there’s no temporary or provisional PrDP issued during processing.
- Keep your DLTC reference number safe — you’ll need it to enquire about progress
- Follow up at the DLTC every 2-3 weeks if processing exceeds the quoted timeframe
Planning tip for e-hailing applicants: Start your PrDP application before or alongside your vehicle registration and e-hailing platform onboarding. The PrDP processing time is typically the longest single wait in the entire setup process.
Renewal
PrDP renewal follows the same process as a new application — medical certificate, documents, DLTC visit, background check, waiting period. There is no simplified renewal process.
Renewal periods:
- PrDP P (Passengers): every 2 years
- PrDP G (Goods): every 5 years
- PrDP D (Dangerous Goods): every 5 years
Start your renewal early. Given processing times of 6-12 weeks, apply for renewal at least 3 months before your PrDP expires. Driving commercially with an expired PrDP carries the same penalties as not having one at all — and your insurance cover lapses.
PrDP for Uber and Bolt
This is the most-searched PrDP topic in South Africa, so here’s the specific information e-hailing drivers need:
You need PrDP P (Passengers). Every Uber, Bolt, InDrive, and DiDi driver in South Africa is legally required to hold a PrDP P. The e-hailing platforms require it during onboarding and verify it periodically.
Requirements specific to e-hailing:
- Minimum age 21 (PrDP P requirement)
- Valid Code B (Code 8) licence minimum
- Clean criminal record — convictions for violent offences, sexual offences, drug offences, or driving under the influence will result in PrDP refusal
- Medical fitness certificate
- The vehicle must also meet separate requirements (operating licence, roadworthiness, insurance)
Common PrDP P timeline for new Uber/Bolt drivers:
- Get medical certificate: 1-2 days
- Submit PrDP application at DLTC: 1 day (plus potential queuing)
- Wait for processing: 6-12 weeks
- Collect updated licence card: 1 day
Total: 2-3 months before you can legally start driving for any e-hailing platform.
What the platforms check: Both Uber and Bolt verify your PrDP category and expiry date during registration. They also run periodic checks — if your PrDP expires and you don’t renew, your account will be suspended until you upload an updated licence card showing a valid PrDP P.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive a taxi without a PrDP? No. Any vehicle carrying passengers for reward requires the driver to hold PrDP P — this includes metered taxis, minibus taxis, Uber, Bolt, shuttle services, and tour vehicles. Enforcement varies, but the legal requirement is absolute.
Does a PrDP expire separately from my licence? Yes. Your driving licence card expires every 5 years, and your PrDP has its own expiry date (2 or 5 years depending on category). The two expiry dates are independent. You need to track both.
Can I hold PrDP G and PrDP P simultaneously? Yes. Both categories are endorsed on the same licence card. This is common for drivers who alternate between goods and passenger transport.
Is the PrDP valid in other countries? No. The PrDP is a South African permit only. Other SADC countries have their own professional driving permit systems. Cross-border commercial drivers need to comply with the regulations of each country they operate in.
What happens if I’m caught driving commercially without a PrDP? You face a fine, and the vehicle may be impounded. More critically, your insurance is void — any accident while driving commercially without a PrDP leaves you personally liable for all damages, injuries, and third-party claims.
Next Steps
- Code 10 (Code C1) guide — The licence behind most PrDP G positions
- Code 14 (Code EC) guide — For heavy vehicle and long-haul careers
- All licence codes explained — Full overview of the SA licence system
- Testing centres — Find your nearest DLTC for PrDP applications