K53

Overview

K53 is the name for the driving test method used in South Africa. Getting a car or motorcycle licence has two stages. First you pass a written learner's licence test on the rules of the road, road signs and vehicle controls. Then, holding a valid learner's licence, you take a practical driving test that follows the K53 method.

Tests are booked at a Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC), and the government pages say to ask your local office about costs and booking details, which differ by place. The pass marks below come from a publisher of K53 study books, not from the government pages, so confirm them at your testing centre.

Who can apply

You must be old enough on the test date for the vehicle you want to drive. The national government page lists these learner's licence codes:

• Code 1: motorcycles, motor tricycles and quadricycles. Age 16 if the engine is 125 cc or less, and 18 if it is larger.

• Code 2: vehicles of up to 3 500 kg gross vehicle mass, including minibuses, buses and goods vehicles. Age 17.

• Code 3: vehicles above 3 500 kg. Age 18.

The Western Cape page lists a newer code system (A1, A, B, EB, C1, C, EC1, EC), with a minimum age of 16 for code A1 and 18 for codes A, B, EB and C1.

Learner's licence test

What you bring. An identity document, two identical black-and-white photographs, proof of postal and residential address, and the booking fee. Complete form LL1 at the DLTC. Applicants aged 65 or older also complete a medical certificate form. You take an eye test at the centre or bring one from a qualified optometrist.

What the test covers. Rules of the road, road signs and markings, and the controls of a vehicle. In the Western Cape all learner's tests are computerised. Elsewhere the test may be on a computer or on paper, so ask your centre.

Format and pass marks. The test is multiple choice. For some questions more than one option is correct. According to the publisher, the test normally has 68 questions, split across three sections with the pass marks shown. These figures can change from time to time.

Result and validity. If you pass, you pay the issue fee and the licence is issued the same day. A learner's licence is valid for 24 months and cannot be extended. While you hold it, you may drive only when supervised by a licensed driver. The Western Cape page makes an exception for motorcycles.

Driving licence test

You must be 18 or older, or over 16 for a motorcycle up to 125 cc, and hold a valid learner's licence. At the DLTC you bring your ID, photographs, learner's licence and proof of address, complete form DL1, and have an eye test. A date is then set for the driving test.

The examiner checks that you hold a valid learner's licence, understand road signs, know the rules and signals, and can drive the vehicle type on your application. Once you pass, you receive a temporary licence while the credit-card-format licence is made. The card expires five years after issue, and uncollected licences are destroyed after 120 days.

Fees

As listed by the Western Cape Government in 2026, the learner's licence test and application fee is R68, and the issue fee after passing is R33. Fees are subject to change and differ by province and municipality. The government pages say to contact your local licensing office for the cost of a driving licence.

Preparation tips

• Study the three areas the learner's test covers: rules of the road, road signs and vehicle controls. The Western Cape page links to study material and says printed manuals are available at selected public libraries.

• Read each question fully. Some have more than one correct answer.

• For the driving test, practise the K53 method with a driving instructor.

FAQs