Driving Licence To Enable Towing In South Africa

WHAT LICENCE DO I NEED TO TOW?

The answer is actually very simple: If the caravan or trailer you are towing has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of less than 750 kg, you are allowed to tow it with any licence except A or A1. (These are for a motorcycle).

If you want to tow anything that has a GVM of more than 750 kg, you need a licence that has a code beginning with an E – this includes an EB, EC, and EC1.

This means a Code C or C1 licence DOES NOT allow you to tow anything with a GVM over 750 kg.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EB, EC1 AND EC

All licence codes starting with E allow you to tow a caravan or trailer with a GCM exceeding 750 kg.

However, what the different licences limit is the Tare of your tow vehicle:

  • With an EB licence, your tow vehicle must have a Tare less than 3 500 kg.
  • With an EC1 licence, your tow vehicle must have a Tare less than 16 000 kg.
  • With an EC licence, your tow vehicle may have a GVM over 16 000kg.

Extracts from the National Road Traffic Act

Licence Code B:

A motor vehicle, excluding a motor cycle, motor tricycle, tractor and a motor vehicle which is a type of mobile agricultural or industrial equipment or machinery not designed principally for the conveyance of persons or goods, being a motor vehicle, including a motor home, the tare of which does not exceed 3 500 kilograms; with or without a trailer, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 750 kilograms.

Licence Code EB:

A motor vehicle, excluding a motor cycle, motor tricycle, tractor and a motor vehicle which is a type of mobile agricultural or industrial equipment or machinery not designed principally for the conveyance of persons or goods, being a motor vehicle the tare of which does not exceed 3 500 kg; with a trailer the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 750 kilograms.

Licence Code C1:

A motor vehicle, excluding a motor cycle, motor tricycle, tractor and a motor vehicle which is a type of mobile agricultural or industrial equipment or machinery not designed principally for the conveyance of persons or goods, being a motor vehicle, the tare of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms but does not exceed 16 000 kilograms; with or without a trailer, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 750 kilograms, but does not include an articulated what? (Word missing)

Licence Code EC1:

A motor vehicle, excluding a motor cycle, motor tricycle, tractor and a motor vehicle which is a type of mobile agricultural or industrial equipment or machinery not designed principally for the conveyance of persons or goods, being a motor vehicle, the tare of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms but does not exceed 16 000 kilograms; with a trailer the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 750 kilograms.

How to do an EB Licence

 Note: if you already have a B Code licence you will have to re-do your learners and drivers licence Competency Tests as well as demonstrate the ability to tow a trailer or caravan.

Tip: Use a trailer, it is a lot easier to do the test with than a caravan. It is also easier to hire for practicing and doing the actual test with.

Steps to take.

  1. Get a learners licence application form (LL1) from the Traffic Department
  2. Apply for Code 2 (EB) light motor vehicle licence
  3. Obtain and study the K53 Drivers Handbook
  4. Do the written test and obtain your learners licence.
  5. Practice towing especially the yard test manoeuvres you will be asked to do. Tip: Use a driving instructor to assist you. The AA recommends using an instructor who is a member of SAIDI the Southern African Institute of Driving Instructors www.saidi.co.za
  6. Apply for a drivers licence test date.
  7. Do the test and pass.