Being sent home over paperwork is the most avoidable way to lose a test slot. The list is short, but every item has a catch worth knowing about.
The checklist
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Identification | A South African ID document, ID card, or a temporary identity certificate. A valid South African passport is also accepted. |
| If you are not a permanent resident | An identity document issued by your country, or a traffic register number certificate. |
| Photographs | Two recent passport-size photographs. Black and white or colour are both fine. |
| Eye test | Either the test done at the testing centre, or a valid eye test certificate from a registered optometrist. |
| Application form | Form LL1, completed. Usually filled in at the centre. |
| Proof of booking | Your booking confirmation, if you booked in advance. |
| Fees | The booking fee and, once you pass, the issuing fee. |
About the eye test
Most centres test your eyes on site, and it takes a couple of minutes. If you would rather not risk it, an optometrist's certificate is accepted — bring the original.
Wearing glasses or contact lenses is not a problem. The requirement is that your corrected vision meets the prescribed standard, and if you need correction to pass, that condition is recorded on your licence. Wear your usual glasses or lenses to the test.
What will stop your application
A few conditions disqualify an application by law. They include being disqualified by a court order that is still in force, already holding a valid licence for the same class of vehicle, an unexpired suspension or cancellation, and addiction to drugs or the excessive use of alcohol.
Certain medical conditions also disqualify: uncontrollable epilepsy, sudden attacks of disabling giddiness or fainting, any condition causing muscular incoordination, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and defective vision below the prescribed standard.
This one surprises people, and it comes up in the test itself. Deafness is expressly not treated as a defect for licensing purposes — driving depends overwhelmingly on vision.
Small things that catch people out
- Photographs that are old, cropped from a group photo, or the wrong size.
- A temporary ID that has expired between booking and test day.
- Bringing a copy of your ID instead of the original.
- Booking under a slightly different spelling of your name than your ID shows.
- Assuming the centre takes card. Many still want cash — check when you book.