To get a PDP you apply at a driving licence testing centre with the PD1 form, a valid driving licence for the vehicle, a medical certificate no older than two months, and proof of address. Your fingerprints are checked against the police database, you pay the fees, and you collect a temporary permit while your card is made. Gauteng residents apply online through eNatis. The permanent card can take up to 12 weeks, so a temporary permit carries you in the meantime.
Here is the full process, the documents you need, and what happens on the day.
Before you apply: the requirements
You can only get a PDP if you meet all of the following: you hold a valid driving licence for the type of vehicle you are applying for, you are old enough for the category, you are certified medically fit, and you have no disqualifying criminal record in the past five years. Your driving licence must not be suspended or cancelled.
The age limits depend on the category: 18 for a goods vehicle, 21 for passenger vehicles such as taxis and buses, and 25 for dangerous goods. Dangerous goods applicants must also be certified by an approved training body.
Documents to take with you
Gather these before you go, because a missing document means a wasted trip:
- Your South African ID or a valid passport, plus a copy.
- A valid driving licence for the vehicle category you are applying for, plus a copy.
- A medical certificate on the official form, no older than two months.
- Four identical ID photographs. Confirm with your centre how many they need before you have them taken.
- Proof of residential address, such as a utility account. If the bill is not in your name, the owner must provide an affidavit confirming you live there. If you live in an informal settlement, bring a letter with an official stamp from the ward councillor.
Step by step
Step 1: Get your medical done. See a registered healthcare practitioner to complete the official medical form. It must be no older than two months when you apply.
Step 2: Go to the DLTC and complete the PD1 form. Go to your nearest driving licence testing centre and fill in the Application for a professional driving permit form (PD1). If your address or details have changed, also complete the notification of change form (NCP). Gauteng residents apply online at the eNatis portal instead of visiting in person.
Step 3: Submit your documents and have your fingerprints taken. Hand in the PD1 form and supporting documents. Your fingerprints are captured and sent to Afiswitch, which checks them against the SAPS criminal records database.
Step 4: Have your eye test. You undergo a vision test at the centre, or you submit a certificate from an optometrist done beforehand. The standards are set out on the driver’s licence eye test page.
Step 5: Pay the fees. Pay the application fee at the centre and the Afiswitch fee by EFT using the reference you are given. The full breakdown is on the PDP cost page.
Step 6: Collect your temporary permit. After about 5 to 10 working days, once Afiswitch has released your results, return to apply for and pay for your temporary PDP. It is valid for 6 months and lets you drive professionally while you wait.
Step 7: Collect your card. The permanent PDP card can take up to 12 weeks to produce. The centre notifies you when it is ready, and you collect it at the same centre where you applied. Bring your ID. Cards not collected within 120 days are destroyed.
Checking your PDP status
While you wait, you can check whether your card is ready. Send your ID number by SMS to 33214, or use the Query Driving Licence Card service on the NaTIS website by entering your ID details.
How we worked this out
The process on this page is based on the published professional driving permit application procedure under the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, including the PD1 application form, the Afiswitch criminal record check, the medical certificate requirement, the temporary permit, and the card production and collection timelines. The online application route applies to Gauteng residents through the eNatis portal. This page is general information, and you should confirm the current requirements at your own driving licence testing centre.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a PDP? At your nearest driving licence testing centre using the PD1 form. Gauteng residents apply online through the eNatis portal instead of going in person.
What documents do I need for a PDP? Your ID or passport, a valid driving licence for the vehicle, a medical certificate no older than two months, four ID photographs, and proof of address, each with copies where needed.
How long does a PDP take? The permanent card can take up to 12 weeks. You collect a temporary permit, valid for 6 months, so you can drive professionally while you wait.
What is the minimum age for a PDP? 18 for goods vehicles, 21 for passenger vehicles such as taxis and buses, and 25 for dangerous goods.
How do I check if my PDP is ready? SMS your ID number to 33214, or use the Query Driving Licence Card service on the NaTIS website.
