A professional driving permit costs about R768 in total once you add up every fee. The main charges are the R324 application fee at the licensing centre, the R110 Afiswitch fee for the criminal record check, the R84 temporary permit fee, and R200 to R300 for the medical certificate. The application fee is set by each province and varies slightly, but the other charges are broadly the same countrywide.
Most guides, and even the government website, tell you to “contact your local licensing office to find out the cost.” Here is the actual breakdown so you can budget before you go.
Quick facts: what a PDP costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| PDP application fee | About R324 | Licensing centre (DLTC) |
| Afiswitch fee | R110 | Afiswitch, by EFT |
| Temporary PDP fee | R84 | Licensing centre |
| Medical certificate | R200 to R300 | Your doctor |
| Typical total | About R768 | – |
Figures are the current typical fees for 2026. The application fee is set provincially, so confirm the exact amount at your own centre.
The application fee: about R324
The core charge is the PDP application fee, which is about R324 paid at the driving licence testing centre when you submit your PD1 form. This is the one that moves between provinces, because each province sets its own licensing tariffs, so treat R324 as the going rate rather than a fixed national price.
The Afiswitch fee: R110
A PDP application includes a criminal record check. Your fingerprints are taken at the centre and processed by Afiswitch, which verifies them against the SAPS criminal records database. The R110 Afiswitch fee is usually paid separately by EFT, using a reference the licensing agent gives you, and the results are only released to the licensing department once you have paid. If you do not have online banking, you can deposit the amount into the Afiswitch account at an ABSA branch.
The temporary permit fee: R84
Because the permanent PDP card can take up to 12 weeks to arrive, you apply for a temporary permit so you can drive professionally in the meantime. The temporary PDP fee is R84, and the temporary permit is valid for 6 months, which comfortably covers the wait for your card.
The medical certificate: R200 to R300
A PDP requires a medical certificate on the official form, completed by a registered healthcare practitioner who confirms you are fit to drive. This costs R200 to R300 depending on the provider, and the certificate must be no older than two months when you apply. It is a separate cost from the licensing fees because you pay it directly to the doctor.
What the total does not include
The roughly R768 total covers the fees you pay to get the permit itself. It does not include a few smaller costs you may still face: your four ID photographs, a certified copy of your ID, and, if you do not yet hold the right licence code for the vehicle, the cost of getting that licence first. If you need to upgrade to a Code C1 or higher before applying, that is a separate and larger expense.
How we worked this out
The fees on this page reflect the current published PDP application process for 2026: the application fee charged at the driving licence testing centre, the Afiswitch criminal record check fee, the temporary permit fee, and the medical certificate charged by a healthcare provider. The application fee is set by each provincial authority under the National Road Traffic Act framework, so it varies slightly by province. Confirm the exact application fee at your own licensing centre before you go, and bring proof of any EFT payments with you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a PDP cost in total? About R768 once you add the R324 application fee, the R110 Afiswitch fee, the R84 temporary permit fee and R200 to R300 for the medical certificate. The application fee varies slightly by province.
How much is the PDP application fee? About R324 at the licensing centre. It is set by each province, so the exact amount can differ where you apply.
What is the Afiswitch fee for? The R110 Afiswitch fee pays for the criminal record check that verifies your fingerprints against the SAPS database. Your application only proceeds once the results are released.
Do I have to pay for a temporary PDP separately? Yes. The temporary permit costs R84 and lets you drive professionally for up to 6 months while your permanent PDP card is produced.
Is the medical certificate included in the PDP fee? No. You pay the doctor directly, usually R200 to R300, and the certificate must be no older than two months when you apply.
