“A valid Code EB driver’s license” or “Code 08 required” — South African government job adverts often list a specific license code without explaining what it actually covers, and to make things more confusing, older terminology and current terminology don’t always match. This guide breaks down every current code, plus what the old numbered codes mean if you’ve come across them.
Old Numbered Codes vs Current Letter Codes
South Africa changed its driver’s license system in 1998, moving from numbered codes to the current letter-based system. Many people still refer to licenses by the old numbers, and some older documents or informal job descriptions still use them too. Here’s how they match up:
- Code 8 = Code B
- Code 10 = Code C1
- Code 14 = Code EC (or EC1 for the medium articulated equivalent)
If a job advert or an older colleague refers to “Code 8” or “Code 10,” they mean the current Code B or Code C1 respectively.
The Current License Codes Explained
| Code | Vehicle Type | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Motorcycle, engine capacity up to 125cc | Smaller motorcycles, entry-level riders |
| A | Motorcycle, engine capacity over 125cc | Larger motorcycles |
| B | Light motor vehicle, gross vehicle mass (GVM) up to 3,500 kg | Standard cars, bakkies, minibuses — the most common license type |
| EB | Light motor vehicle plus trailer, combined mass up to 3,500 kg | Towing a trailer behind a standard vehicle |
| C1 | Vehicle with a GVM between 3,500 kg and 16,000 kg | Medium trucks, buses, larger goods vehicles |
| C | Vehicle with a GVM over 16,000 kg | Heavy trucks and buses |
| EC1 | Articulated vehicle, combined mass between 3,500 kg and 16,000 kg | Medium truck-and-trailer combinations |
| EC | Articulated vehicle, combined mass over 16,000 kg | Heavy, long-haul truck-and-trailer combinations |
What’s the Most Common Requirement on Government Job Ads?
For the large majority of government posts that simply require “a valid driver’s license” without specifying otherwise, this almost always means Code B — the standard license most South Africans hold, covering everyday cars and light vehicles. You’ll only see the heavier codes (C1, C, EC1, EC) specified for posts that genuinely involve operating trucks, buses, or heavy equipment, such as certain logistics, maintenance, or operations roles.
A Note on Licenses Covering Multiple Codes
If you hold a higher code, you’re generally also licensed to drive everything below it. For example, a Code EC license (the highest level) also covers B, EB, C1, C, and EC1 — meaning someone qualified to drive a heavy articulated truck is also automatically licensed to drive a standard car. This is worth knowing if you’re checking whether your existing license meets a post’s stated requirement, since your physical license card may only show your highest code rather than listing every lower one it includes.
What About a PrDP?
Some government posts — particularly driver positions, certain emergency services roles, or posts involving transporting people or goods for the department — require a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) in addition to the relevant license code. This is a separate, additional permit, not a replacement for your driver’s license. PrDPs are issued in different groups depending on what’s being transported:
- Group G — goods vehicles and breakdown vehicles
- Group P — passenger vehicles, including taxis and small buses
- Group D — vehicles carrying dangerous goods
If a job advert specifically mentions a PrDP requirement alongside a license code, both are needed — having the license code alone isn’t sufficient for that post.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Code EB mean on a job advert? Code EB means a light motor vehicle license with the ability to tow a trailer, with a combined mass not exceeding 3,500 kg. It’s the standard towing-capable extension of a normal Code B license.
Is Code 08 the same as Code B? Yes. Code 08 is the older numbered terminology for what’s now called Code B, the standard light motor vehicle license.
Do I need a PrDP if I already have a Code C license? A PrDP is a separate requirement from your license code. If a post involves transporting passengers or goods for reward, you’ll likely need both the relevant license code and the matching PrDP group.
Does a Code C license let me drive a normal car? Yes — higher codes include the vehicle categories below them, so a Code C license also covers what Code B allows.
Make sure the rest of your application is in order too — read our Z83 form guide, or go back to our Complete Guide to Applying for Government Jobs in South Africa.
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