Q:
Do you need to take driving lessons from an official instructor in order to pass your driver's licence?
The National Road Traffic Act of South Africa does not (yet) require that driving lessons be taken in order to take the official K53 driving test.
However, it is better to learn from a driving instructor as they will prevent you from learning bad driving habits. It is preferable to take lessons with an instructor who is registered with the
Southern African Institute of Driving Instructors, SAIDI.
All driving instructors must be registered.
Q:
Can I use my own car for my driving test, or do I have to use a driving school's car?
You are allowed to use your own vehicle for the test. Be sure it is roadworthy.
Tip: Make sure the handbrake can hold the vehicle stationary on an incline, in neutral without using the footbrake. The examiner is likely to ask you to remove your foot from the brake pedal when stopped on the incline for the Incline Start manoeuvre. If your vehicle rolls back even slightly because the handbrake is not holding it, you'll fail the test because the vehicle will be deemed un-roadworthy.
Q:
Can I make a booking for my driver's licence if my learner's is issued in my married surname, but my ID is still in my maiden surname?
It would be best to make sure in advance by checking with the testing station concerned, or with
http://www.enatis.com
Q:
How do I postpone my test date?
Please contact your local traffic department directly.
Q:
Will I fail my driving test if the car I am using has a crack in the windscreen?
Have the car taken to a roadworthy testing facility and ask them to advise whether the car would pass or fail the roadworthy, based on the extent of the crack.
However, this will not guarantee that the testing officer will agree, and s/he might still say the car is un-roadworthy and fail you.
If you have any doubt at all, it would be best to use a different and roadworthy vehicle.
Q:
Are reverse sensors allowed during your driving test?
There is no law forbidding the use of reverse sensors. If the traffic official refuses to let you continue with your driving test because your car has reverse sensors, you need to lodge an appeal against him/her.
Q:
When doing the pre-trip inspection of the car, do I physically need to bend down to my knees to check?
The key word here is 'check'. You physically need to check the car, not just say that you have. The requirements are spelled out in
The New Official K53 Manual.
Q:
Is the u-turn part of the requirements for the driver's test?
The driving test includes a manoeuvre called the three-point turn. The requirements for this manoeuvre are given in
The New Official K53 Manual. It is a U-turn but in a road area that is too narrow to turn without having to stop at the kerb, reverse and then complete the turn.
Q:
Are you allowed to get out of the vehicle during a parking manoeuvre in the yard (e.g. parallel parking) to check where the vehicle is positioned, and then get back in the vehicle to complete the manoeuvre?
No, you must remain in the vehicle while performing the yard test manoeuvres.
Q:
When stopping your car on 'the hill' during the yard test, do you have to use the hand-brake and remove your foot from the foot brake?
It is not a requirement of the test to remove your foot from the foot (service) brake after you have stopped. However, the examiners can and do insist that once you have stopped the vehicle, applied the handbrake, and placed the gear in neutral, you should take both feet off the pedals (clutch and brake).
The examiners do this to check that the handbrake is able to hold the vehicle still without support from the footbrake. If the vehicle rolls, this indicates that it is not roadworthy. Using a vehicle that is not roadworthy will result in an immediate fail.
Q:
What should you do during your driving test if a traffic light turns amber when you are almost at an intersection?
The best thing to do during your driving test when facing a steady amber light is to stop behind the white line, provided it is safe to do so.
Q:
Are there penalty points for not stopping at a pedestrian crossing during your test?
If you don't stop at a pedestrian crossing in accordance with the rules of the road, you will fail the test for breaking the law.
Q:
If I fail my driving test, can I re-book another test immediately or is there some kind of compulsory 'gap' I have to take before re-booking?
Q:
If you pass your driver's licence in a manual car can you also drive an automatic car, and visa versa?
If you pass your licence using an automatic transmission vehicle, you can only drive an automatic transmission vehicle.
If you pass your licence with a manual transmission vehicle, you can drive both a manual and an automatic transmission vehicle.
Q:
What do I need to do to exchange my South African driver's licence for a foreign one?
