Any person that transports passengers must obtain a public operating licence, this applies to taxi drivers, bus drivers or any driver who’s transporting people for payment.
A public operating licence is a permit or document giving drivers permission to transport people for public gain.
The table below lists the types of application you may be making and clarifies which form should be completed, and which checklist should be adhered to.
In order to electronically submit your application, please download and complete the relevant application form. Please refer to this table to obtain the appropriate form for your application. Please also ensure that you check your supporting documentation against the correct checklist as indicated in the table.
Note: Motorists must verify all personal and address particulars with any motor vehicle or driving licence transaction. These documents can be used as proof.
| Type of Application | Form | Checklist | Notes |
| New applications | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK1) | Applies to all new applications for a licence.Print and complete form (1A) Follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Transfer of operating licence or permit | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK2) | We can’t accept electronically submitted applications for the transfer of a licence or permit to another individual.Both parties (current holder and person the permit or licence is being transferred to) need to go into the Public Transport Service Centre (PTSC) so that a Customer Relationship Officer can verify approval of the transfer. Please download and read the requirements checklist then print and complete form (1A) or form (1B) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Amendment of an operating licence or permit: additional authority | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK3.1) | Applies to the amendment of an operating licence or permit: additional authority.Please read the requirements checklist.Print and complete form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Amendment of an operating licence or permit: amendment of route or area | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK3.1) | Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: amendment of route or area.Please read the requirements checklist.Print and complete form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Amendment of an operating licence or permit: change of particulars | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK3.1) | Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: amendment of route or area.Please read the requirements checklist.Print and complete form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Amendment of an operating licence or permit: amendment of timetables, tariffs or other conditions | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK3.2) | Applies to operating licence or permit: amendment of timetables, tariffs or other conditions.Please read the requirements checklist.Print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Amendment of an operating licence or permit: replace existing vehicle | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK3.3) | Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: replace existing vehicle.Please read the requirements checklist. Then print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Amendment of an operating licence or permit: renewal of an operating licence or permit | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK4) | Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: renewal of an operating licence or permit.Please read the requirements checklist and print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Amendment of an operating licence or permit: conversion of a permit to an operating licence | Download Form (1A)Form (1B) (Western Cape only)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK3.1) | Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: conversion of a permit to an operating licence.Please read the requirements checklist, then print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Application for extension | Download Form (EXT 1)Form 10 | N/a | Applies to application for extension.Please read the requirements checklist, then print and complete the form (EXT1) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Application for a duplicate licence permit or decal | Download Form (1D)Form 10 | Download Checklist (CHK5) | Applies to application for a duplicate licence permit or decal.Please read the requirements checklist, then print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Application for temporary replacement of vehicle | Download Form (2D) | Download Checklist (CHK6) | Applies to application for temporary replacement of vehicle.Please read the requirements checklist, then print and complete the form (2D) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
| Application for temporary operating licence (special event) | Download Form (3A) | Download Checklist (CHK7) | Applies to application for temporary operating licence (special event).Please read the requirements checklist. Print and complete the form (3A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application. |
Instructions: submission of applications
Please note that operating licences for recapitalised vehicles, you’ll need to go into the PTSC as this process hasn’t been automated yet.
Remember that every application needs an affidavit completed. Please complete Form 10, the affidavit.
In order to electronically submit your application, please download and complete the relevant application form. You’ll need to make sure that you’ve got all the relevant supporting documents with you, for your application.
How to submit:
Scan in all the documents relevant to your application (both the form and supporting documents) and email them to cathriena.crafford@westerncape.gov.za or zibuyile.nkebe@westerncape.gov.za
Once your application has been received by the staff at the customer relationship office (CRO), it will be verified at the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works to ensure that the application is complete.
You’ll be sent an email to confirm receipt of your application. This letter will also include the PTSC banking details and a unique reference number, which should be used when you make your application payment either through electronic funds transfer (EFT) or through normal banking procedures.
Remember that each application has to be a separate EFT/payment and must include the correct reference number for the application.
What next?
Please email the proof of payment to Cathriena Crafford at cathriena.crafford@westerncape.gov.za or Zibuyile Nkebe at zibuyile.nkebe@westerncape.gov.za.
After your proof of payment is received, you’ll be provided with a receipt that will include your application number. Once your payment has been verified, you’ll receive an SMS indicating that your application is being processed.
Once your receipt has been issued, the customer relationship officers at the service centre will begin processing your application.
The processing of an application typically takes up to 60 work days. During this period, you may be requested to submit additional documentation, or be invited to a meeting with board members during the decision-making process. Once a decision has been made regarding your application, you’ll receive a letter stating whether the application has been approved or declined along with supporting information.
You’ll also need to sign an affidavit stating that you haven’t committed a violent or serious offence or been convicted of an offence involving illegal weapons.
Operating licences are valid for a maximum of 5 years.
To qualify for a taxi operating licence, you’ll need to be a member of a fully registered taxi association. Taxi associations are registered with the Provincial Taxi Registrar.
Once you’ve been issued with an operating licence, you’re required to display this licence whenever requested by a traffic officer and must affix a distinguishing mark to your vehicle.
E-hailing
You can apply to start an electronic hailing (e-hailing) business at the Department of Transport and Public Works once you get the necessary support from the local authority where the service will start. Examples of e-hailing services include metered taxis, Uber and Taxify.
Complete and submit the relevant forms to Zibuyile Nkebe or Cathriena Crafford
Email: zibuyile.nkebe@westerncape.gov.za or cathriena.crafford@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 0270
- New application form
- Definition for metered taxi
- Form 10
- Form 1B (Western Cape only)
- Form 1A (outside Western Cape)
- Method of correspondence
- New form impartiality employment
The Public Transport Branch can be contacted at the:
Vangate office
Vangate Shared Service Centre
Corner of Bosduif and Volstruis Roads
Bridgetown
Athlone
7764
Tel: 021 483 0332
Fax: 021 483 0201
Email: zibuyile.nkebe@westerncape.gov.za or cathriena.crafford@westerncape.gov.za
Office hours: 7:30am to 4pm
George office
Rensburg Hof
42 Courtney Street
George
6530
Tel: 044 802 3700
Email:laura.batt@westerncape.gov.za
Office hours: 7:30am to 4pm
West Coast, Piketberg
Mr Hubert Kirkwood
Tel: 021 483 0228
For more information, you may also contact the:
Provincial taxi office
Tel: 021 696 3213/14
Fax: 021 696 3206
Provincial transport registrar’s office
Tel: 021 483 0259
Fax: 021 483 0206
General enquiries
If you have any questions, or need assistance to complete your application, a CRO may be contacted at the following number: 021 483 0270 /0216.