Last updated: 16 October 2026
Truck driver jobs keep goods moving across South Africa, from farms and factories to shops and ports. To get hired, you need the right licence code, a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) and a clean record. This guide explains each requirement and how to find real driving jobs.
Truck driver jobs at a glance
- Heavy vehicle licence codes: C1, C, EC1 and EC
- PrDP needed for goods vehicles over 3,500kg and for carrying people or dangerous goods for reward
- PrDP minimum ages: 18 (goods), 21 (passengers), 25 (dangerous goods)
- PrDP is valid for two years
- Medical certificate must be no older than two months when you apply
- Apply for a PrDP at a Driving Licence Testing Centre (Gauteng: online.natis.gov.za)
What Does a Truck Driver Do?
Truck drivers move goods safely and on time. The job is more than driving. You are responsible for the vehicle, the load and the paperwork.
Typical duties include:
- Doing daily pre-trip checks on tyres, brakes, lights and fluids
- Making sure the load is secured and within legal weight limits
- Delivering goods and getting delivery notes signed
- Keeping trip logs and fuel records
- Reporting faults and incidents to your controller
- Following road rules, rest periods and company safety rules
Some drivers work local routes and sleep at home. Long-distance and cross-border drivers may spend days on the road.
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Truck Licence Codes Explained
You need the right licence code for the vehicle you drive. Heavy vehicle codes are shown below.
| Code | Vehicle type | Typical jobs |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Rigid vehicles over 3,500kg up to 16,000kg, with a trailer of up to 750kg | Delivery trucks, small tippers |
| C | Rigid vehicles over 16,000kg, with a trailer of up to 750kg | Large rigid trucks, buses |
| EC1 | Combinations within the C1 range, towing a trailer over 750kg | Medium truck-and-trailer work |
| EC | Heavy articulated vehicles and combinations, towing a trailer over 750kg | Interlinks, tankers, long-distance freight |
What about Code 10 and Code 14?
Many job adverts still use the old names. “Code 10” usually refers to C1. “Code 14” usually refers to EC, the heaviest articulated code. If an advert is unclear, ask the employer which code they need.
How long is a truck licence valid?
Driving licence cards are currently valid for five years. In August 2026, government gazetted a proposal to give some light vehicle licences a 10-year validity. Reports on the proposal say heavy codes such as C1, C, EC1 and EC will keep five-year validity. It is not yet law, so keep renewing under the current rules.
The Professional Driving Permit (PrDP)
A PrDP is a permit you hold on top of your driving licence. It shows you are allowed to drive certain vehicles professionally.
When do you need a PrDP?
- Driving goods vehicles with a gross vehicle mass over 3,500kg
- Carrying passengers for reward, such as in buses, minibuses and taxis
- Transporting dangerous goods, such as fuel
PrDP categories
| Category | Covers | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| G (goods) | Goods vehicles | 18 |
| P (passengers) | Buses, minibuses and taxis carrying people for reward | 21 |
| D (dangerous goods) | Vehicles carrying dangerous goods, such as fuel tankers | 25 |
For category D, you also need certification from an approved training body.
Who cannot get a PrDP?
According to the government services page, you may be refused if, in the past five years, you were convicted of:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving over the legal alcohol limit
- Violent offences (for P and D permits)
Medical certificate
You must be certified medically fit by a doctor. Use the Medical Certificate (MC) form. The certificate is only valid if it is no older than two months when you apply.
How to Apply for a PrDP: Step by Step
- Get your licence code. You need a valid licence for the vehicle you will drive.
- See a doctor. Get the medical certificate (MC form) completed.
- Do training if needed. Dangerous goods drivers need an approved training certificate.
- Gather your documents. See the list below.
- Visit your Driving Licence Testing Centre. Complete forms PD1 and NCP. In Gauteng, apply online at online.natis.gov.za.
- Pay the fee. Fees differ by province, so ask your local licensing office.
- Collect your PrDP. Government says it can take up to 12 weeks. Cards not collected within 120 days are destroyed.
Documents you need
- Your ID, driving licence card or valid South African passport
- Your valid driving licence for the right code
- Identical black-and-white ID photos (ask your testing centre how many)
- Medical certificate
- Training certificate, if needed
- Any existing PrDP
- Proof of residential and postal address
Renewing your PrDP
A PrDP is valid for two years. If you apply before your current permit expires, the new one starts the day after the old one ends. Set a reminder so you are never driving with an expired permit.
Other Skills and Requirements Employers Want
- A clean driving record with no serious traffic convictions
- A clear criminal record (many companies run checks)
- Proven experience, especially for EC jobs
- Knowledge of load securing and basic vehicle checks
- Good map reading or GPS skills
- A valid passport for cross-border routes
- Hazchem or dangerous goods training for tanker work
Beginners often start on C1 delivery routes. With experience, you can move up to EC long-distance work.
How Much Do Truck Drivers Earn?
Pay depends on your licence code, experience, the type of load and the routes you drive. In the road freight sector, minimum wages are set by the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI).
The current wage agreement runs from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2027. Reports on the deal said it gave a 7% increase in the first year and 6% in the second year for most workers. Check the latest wage table on the NBCRFLI website for exact minimums for your job grade.
Allowances, such as night-out, cross-border and dangerous goods allowances, can add to your pay.
Where to Find Truck Driver Jobs
- Transport and logistics companies: Check the careers pages of freight and courier companies.
- Retailers and distribution centres: Large retailers run their own fleets. See our Shoprite vacancies guide.
- State-owned companies: See our Transnet vacancies guide.
- Online job boards: Search for “Code 14 driver” or “Code 10 driver”.
- Labour broker and recruitment agencies: Use only registered agencies that do not charge you.
- Mines, farms and construction firms: They hire tipper and water truck drivers.
If you are still building experience, related entry jobs can help. See our general worker jobs guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Letting your PrDP expire. Driving without a valid PrDP can cost you your job.
- Using an old medical certificate. It must be no older than two months.
- Applying for jobs above your code. A C1 licence does not cover EC trucks.
- Leaving out experience details. List the trucks, loads and routes you have driven.
- Ignoring traffic fines. Unpaid fines and convictions can block your PrDP.
Scam Warning
Fake driving jobs are common on social media. Watch out for:
- Adverts asking you to pay for a job, “placement” or uniform
- People selling “fast-track” licences or PrDPs without testing
- Training schools promising a guaranteed job after you pay
- Job offers that only use WhatsApp, with no company address
Charging work seekers a fee for employment services is not allowed under the Employment Services Act. A bought or fake licence is illegal and can lead to criminal charges. Only get your licence and PrDP through an official testing centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What licence do I need to drive a truck in South Africa?
It depends on the truck. C1 covers rigid trucks from 3,500kg to 16,000kg. C covers heavier rigid trucks. EC1 and EC cover combinations with heavier trailers, including articulated trucks.
Do I need a PrDP to drive a truck?
Yes, for goods vehicles with a gross vehicle mass over 3,500kg. You also need one to carry passengers for reward or dangerous goods.
How long is a PrDP valid?
A PrDP is valid for two years. Apply to renew it before it expires.
What is the minimum age for a dangerous goods PrDP?
You must be at least 25 for category D. You also need certification from an approved training body.
How much does a PrDP cost?
Fees differ by province and can change. Ask your local Driving Licence Testing Centre for the current fee.
Related Guides
- Transnet Vacancies
- Shoprite Vacancies
- General Worker Jobs
- CV Template for South Africa
- Festive Season Jobs 2026
Conclusion
To work as a truck driver in South Africa, you need the right code (C1, C, EC1 or EC) and a valid PrDP. You also need a medical certificate and a clean record. The PrDP must be renewed every two years.
Start with the licence you can get now, build experience and move up to heavier vehicles. Apply only to real companies, and never pay for a job.
