There are a lot of rumours, half-truths, and good old urban legends about driving licences. If your licence card has expired, has someone warned you that you’ll have to take the full K53 driving test again before you can renew it? Have you heard anyone claim that their code C1 licence means ‘heavy vehicles’, so they’re allowed to drive a 20-ton truck?

We’re here to separate fact from fiction and bust a few common myths about your driving licence, so you can stay on the right side of the law on the road.

5 driving licence myths

1. You need to retake your driving test if your licence has already expired

Myth! You don’t have to redo your driving test if your licence expires before you can renew it. Your licence to drive doesn’t expire – only the card that proves you have a licence. That said, driving with an expired licence card or no licence can still land you with a hefty fine.

You can apply to renew your driving licence from 8 weeks before the expiry date printed on the card, and you should do so no later than 4 weeks before. It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for your new card to arrive – but (provided you applied at least 4 weeks before the expiry date) if there’s an unforeseen delay, you’ll be granted a temporary licence free of charge or a grace period until your new card arrives.

If you miss that deadline and apply within the final 4 weeks, however, be sure to apply for a temporary driving licence at the same time. The traffic department will issue your temporary licence immediately, once you have applied and paid for it. And if you apply after your current licence has already expired, you’ll have to pay a penalty charge and the cost of a temporary licence, along with the usual card renewal fee.

2. Your driving licence lets you drive any car

Myth! Your licence clearly states which types of vehicles you’re allowed to drive – each with its own code.

According to South Africa’s traffic laws, these are the vehicles you’re allowed to operate according to each licence code:

• Code A1
  A motorcycle with an engine no larger than 125 cc.
• Code A
  A motorcycle with an engine larger than 125 cc.

Both motorcycle codes license you to ride the bike with or without a sidecar.

• Code B
  A motor vehicle, minibus, bus, or goods vehicle, with a gross vehicle mass of not more than 3,500 kg.
• Code C1
  A motor vehicle, bus, minibus, or goods vehicle, with a gross vehicle mass between 3,500 kg and 16,000 kg.
• Code C
  A motor vehicle, a bus, or a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 16,000 kg.
• Code EB
  A light vehicle, minibus, bus, or goods vehicle pulling a trailer, with a total weight not more than 3,500 kg.
• Code EC1
  A heavy vehicle pulling a trailer, with a total weight between 3,500 kg and 16,000 kg.
• Code EC
  A heavy vehicle pulling a trailer, with a total weight of more than 16,000 kg.

If you’re licensed to drive heavy vehicles, you’re generally allowed to drive lighter ones too. For example, a Code EC1 licence enables you to drive vehicles under Codes B, EB, and C1. However, if your licence is restricted to automatic vehicles, you can’t drive a manual vehicle. If you pass your driving test in a manual car, you are licensed to drive both.

3. You must queue at the licensing office early in the morning

Myth! If you go to renew your licence without an appointment, you might face a long, slow queue – but there’s an easier way. The South African eNaTiS website lets you book an appointment at a licensing office. This allows them to manage the flow of people every day, so you don’t have to queue from the early hours just to renew your card.

To do this, simply create a profile to log in to the eNaTiS website and book a timeslot that suits you at the closest available office. It helps to arrive at least 30 minutes before your booking to check that you have the right documents, to avoid delays.

4. You can drive anywhere in the world with your licence

Myth! Some countries will allow you to drive without converting your South African licence, like Eswatini and Sweden – but this is not the global standard. Some countries will give you a time limit during which you can drive on your South African licence – ranging from 1 month to 2 years. After that, you’ll have to apply for an international driving permit (IDP) or a licence for that country, depending on its traffic laws.

Countries like Russia and San Marino, and even some states in the USA, will require you to have an IDP before you’re allowed to get behind the wheel. Check the status of your South African licence in another country with their local embassy or consulate before you travel.

5. You can renew your driving licence online

Myth! Don’t confuse renewing your car’s licence disc (the proof that your car is legally registered, which you stick to your windscreen) with your driving licence. While you can book your driving licence renewal online, you will still have to go into a licensing office in person to renew your card, so that your photograph and fingerprints can be taken.

You can, however, renew your car’s licence disc online, and even have it delivered to your door. If you’re a Nedbank client, you can do this by logging in to the Money app with your Nedbank ID, app PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.

Then:

1       Select Discs and fines under My widgets.

2      Select Licence disc renewal and accept the terms and conditions.

3      Tap on your listed vehicle to view and confirm the details.

4      Select Renew licence on the vehicle listing or details screen.

5      Review the renewal fees breakdown and select Next.

6      Confirm or update your contact details, and then select Pay.

7      Select the account to pay from and complete the payment process.

Contact us today or email digitalhelp@nedbank.co.za if you need any help with the process, or to find out about the other ways that we help you to #BankYourTime.