Driving licence options

[niknik88]

Hi,

I have a British driving licence and now need to get one for over here. I heard that I can exchange my licence for a SA but that means losing the original. Does anyone know if that's true or what the requirements are?
I would prefer to keep my original licence but I'm worried about taking a new test over here. I've heard a few times that the driving schools fail people on purpose a few times before they give them a licence.
Can anyone recommend anything?

Thanks

[chrisc2615]

Originally Posted by niknik88

Hi,

I have a British driving licence and now need to get one for over here. I heard that I can exchange my licence for a SA but that means losing the original. Does anyone know if that's true or what the requirements are?
I would prefer to keep my original licence but I'm worried about taking a new test over here. I've heard a few times that the driving schools fail people on purpose a few times before they give them a licence.
Can anyone recommend anything?

Thanks

The rules of the road are even more relaxed here than in the UK. You can use your UK licence for 12 months but it would be a good idea to visit a driving licence testing centre and apply for a SA licence. There is a variable waiting period due to a backlog. As long as you are careful when you undergo your test, there is no reason you will not pass on your first attempt. There is a book you can look at called the K49 which contains all the rules applicable to SA driving licences and tests.

[Johanna]

Originally Posted by niknik88

Hi,

I have a British driving licence and now need to get one for over here. I heard that I can exchange my licence for a SA but that means losing the original. Does anyone know if that's true or what the requirements are?
I would prefer to keep my original licence but I'm worried about taking a new test over here. I've heard a few times that the driving schools fail people on purpose a few times before they give them a licence.
Can anyone recommend anything?

Thanks

Apply for a "new" license from the DVLA (tell them you lost yours!)

And use the extra to exchange for a drivers license

The K53 Driving Licence Test

[chrisc2615]

That is very good, the "new" licence idea. I should have said the K53. However, when my cousin got here in 2004 there was a big rigmarole trying to exchange her UK driving licence (at Hillstar Cape Town testing station) since nobody there knew what to do and were not inclined to find out.

Hopefully it has improved. I will enquire tomorrow

[Saartjie]

If I am not mistaken you can only exchange your license once you have PR. I wanted to do this when I got here on my TR but was told I have to wait until I get my PR.

[chrisc2615]

Yes, that is right although the people at Hillstar Testing Centre did not know that. I suppose it happens so rarely they do not know the procedure

After a 3 months delay, my cousin got her SA driving licence only to find someone else's picture embedded in it. It took a further 3 months to get that right.

[Saartjie]

Originally Posted by chrisc2615

Yes, that is right although the people at Hillstar Testing Centre did not know that. I suppose it happens so rarely they do not know the procedure

After a 3 months delay, my cousin got her SA driving licence only to find someone else's picture embedded in it. It took a further 3 months to get that right.

If it wasn't such a frustrating process that would be almost funny...

[chrisc2615]

Welcome to the new SA. I saw a thread on the SA Broadband forum showing at least 10 ID book pages with peculiar names and photos that obviously did not belong to the recipient. Then you sometimes get duplicate ID numbers, which in theory should be impossible, and then HA decide you have actually died and cancel your ID (happened to my neighbour) and then you have a hell of a time proving that you are still alive and breathing.

If the people working at HA did their job with more dedication then this would not happen.

btw: I just phoned Hillstar testing centre and asked about changing a UK driving licence for a SA one. I had to speak to 6 people before I found someone who spoke sense. She said to just bring in the UK licence and the ID book. I said there was no ID book, would a passport do? She thought so. Any other requirements? Oh yes, 2 colour photographs 50mm x 35mm full face without spectacles and R 220,00. She said it could be done there and then. So I said, can the person take it away on the spot then? Oh no, a notification will be posted to you and you collect it? I asked about email, but that is not done

[Saartjie]

Originally Posted by chrisc2615

Welcome to the new SA. I saw a thread on the SA Broadband forum showing at least 10 ID book pages with peculiar names and photos that obviously did not belong to the recipient. Then you sometimes get duplicate ID numbers, which in theory should be impossible, and then HA decide you have actually died and cancel your ID (happened to my neighbour) and then you have a hell of a time proving that you are still alive and breathing.

If the people working at HA did their job with more dedication then this would not happen.

btw: I just phoned Hillstar testing centre and asked about changing a UK driving licence for a SA one. I had to speak to 6 people before I found someone who spoke sense. She said to just bring in the UK licence and the ID book. I said there was no ID book, would a passport do? She thought so. Any other requirements? Oh yes, 2 colour photographs 50mm x 35mm full face without spectacles and R 220,00. She said it could be done there and then. So I said, can the person take it away on the spot then? Oh no, a notification will be posted to you and you collect it? I asked about email, but that is not done

I heard of a guy who waited 11 years for his ID book. During that time HA sent him his birth certificate which stated that he was a woman. HA then asked him to provide divorce papers to evidence divorce although this guy had never been married. Finally they sent him an sms telling him to collect his own his death certificate. Got to love the efficiency of HA.

[chrisc2615]

Omg!