South Africa has eight licence codes for road vehicles. The heavy-vehicle codes are:
| Code | Legacy name | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Code 10 | Trucks 3,500 – 16,000 kg (no heavy trailer) |
| C | Code 14 (truck) | Trucks over 16,000 kg (no heavy trailer) |
| EC1 | n/a | Code C1 with a heavy trailer (over 750 kg) |
| EC | Code 14 (interlink) | Articulated truck / interlink (over 16,000 kg with heavy trailer) |
Real-world examples
- Code C1: medium-sized goods truck, fire engine, small bus
- Code C: large rigid truck, large bus
- Code EC1: small truck pulling a heavy trailer (e.g. delivery truck with caravan)
- Code EC: full articulated rig, semi-trailer / interlink truck
Training costs
- Code C1 (5-day intensive): R9,500 – R14,000
- Code C: R14,000 – R20,000 (often includes the C1 if you don't have it)
- Code EC: R16,000 – R25,000
PrDP requirement
Most professional driving in C1/C/EC1/EC categories also requires a PrDP, Goods (G), Passengers (P) or Dangerous goods (D). See our PrDP guide.
Where to train
Heavy-vehicle schools are concentrated in mining and logistics areas: Rustenburg, Witbank, Vereeniging, Boksburg, Durban port area. See our truck driving schools directory.
Frequently asked
- Is Code 10 the same as Code C1?
- Yes. Code 10 is the legacy name for Code C1, small trucks up to 16,000 kg.
- Can I drive a truck with a Code B licence?
- Only up to 3,500 kg gross vehicle mass. Anything bigger needs C1, C, EC1 or EC.
Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of May 2026. Road traffic laws, DLTC procedures, and fee schedules can change — verify critical requirements with your DLTC or the RTMC (rtmc.co.za) before your test.