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 | — | 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.