Application for Exchange of Foreign Driver’s Licence

1. Driver’s licences issued in other countries and acknowledged in South Africa will be converted to credit card format driver’s licences when the holders apply for a South African licence in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996.
2. An application to exchange an international driver’s permit should be accompanied by the driver’s licence issued by foreign authority.
3. A foreign driver’s licence or international driver’s permit is only exchanged for a South African licence should one of the following apply:
   • the applicant has resumed permanent residency if is a South African citizen
   • the applicant has obtained permanent residence.
   Please note that the requirement to obtain permanent residency does not apply to holders of diplomatic or treaty permits.
4. The foreign driver’s licence must be valid on the day of exchange and should be written in one of South Africa’s official languages. If this is not the case, the application must be accompanied by a translation issued by a competent authority.
5. The foreign licence will become invalid when the licence holder resumes permanent residency or obtains permission for permanent residence in South Africa.
6. Complete form DL1, at any Driver’s Licence Testing Centre and produce the following documents:
   o acceptable identification as required by South African legislation (e.g. identity document (ID), temporary ID, valid South African passport, or foreign passport with permanent residence permit)
   o a letter from a competent authority confirming the validity of your foreign driver’s licence. The letter should also define the class of licence. (type of vehicle that can be driven)
   o foreign driver’s licence
   o four black-and-white ID photos.
7. Pay the prescribed fee of R250.00 (applicable from 1 January 2011 as gazetted).
8. An eye test will be conducted on site before the exchange is finalised.
   Note: You will not do a driver’s licence examination. A temporary driver’s licence is valid for six months and is issued immediately, free of charge.

Information reproduced from www.gov.za

back