National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996)

Chapter IV : Fitness of drivers

17. Application for and issue of learner's licence
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1)Subject to section 24, a person desiring to obtain a learner's licence shall in person apply therefor in the prescribed manner to an appropriately graded driving licence testing centre.

 

2)Upon receipt of an application in terms of subsection (1), the driving licence testing centre concerned shall, if it is satisfied from the information furnished or from such further information as such centre may reasonably request, that the applicant is not disqualified from obtaining a learner's licence, determine a day on and time at which the applicant shall present himself or herself to be evaluated in the manner and in respect of the matters prescribed.

 

3)If the driving licence testing centre is satisfied that the applicant, after being evaluated in the prescribed manner, has sufficient knowledge of the matters prescribed in respect of the class of vehicle concerned, and is not disqualified in terms of section 15 from obtaining a learner's licence, the driving licence testing centre shall issue a learner's licence in the prescribed manner to such applicant in respect of the appropriate class of motor vehicle, and the driving licence testing centre shall –
a)in the case where the applicant is found to be competent to drive with the aid of spectacles or contact lenses, an artificial limb or other physical aid, endorse the licence accordingly; and
b)in the case where the applicant is a physically disabled person who has to drive a vehicle adapted for physically disabled persons, or a vehicle adapted specifically for that physically disabled applicant, endorse the licence accordingly.

 

4)No person shall wilfully or negligently issue or authorise the issue of a learner's licence contrary to the provisions of this Chapter.

 

5)Any applicant for a learner’s licence who makes use of any unauthorised aid during a test for a learner’s licence shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable, in addition to any other sentence which the court may impose, to be disqualified from reapplying for a learner’s licence for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date of conviction.

 

6)If the court makes an order disqualifying the applicant from reapplying for a learner’s licence, and the State leads evidence to the effect that the applicant has obtained a learner’s licence in the meanwhile, the court shall require the accused to produce any such licence and shall deal with it in the manner contemplated in section 34(1)(b).