Driver Documents and Roadworthiness
This general rule covers driver and vehicle eligibility: holding the correct licence, the learner-supervision requirement, and basic roadworthiness (tyres, brakes, lights, windscreen). The learner-must-be-accompanied point is frequently tested. Links to Vehicle Controls and the vehicle-code notes.
Plain-language rule
A driver must hold a licence for the vehicle class and produce it on demand; a learner must always be supervised by a licensed driver and display L plates. The vehicle must be registered, licensed (valid disc) and roadworthy — working brakes, lights, indicators, legal tyre tread (minimum 1 mm), wipers, steering and a clear windscreen.
Legal basis: National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, s12 (licence required); Regulations on tyres, brakes, lights
Exceptions
- A new licence-card holder may drive on proof while the card is processed
- Some vehicles require a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP)
Question patterns
- Numeric recall (limits, distances, ages) where applicable.
- “What must you do in situation X?” — required response.
- Distractor trap: Believing a learner may drive alone after passing the learner’s test (a learner must always be accompanied), or under-estimating the legal 1 mm minimum tyre tread.
Penalty / consequence
Driving unlicensed or an unroadworthy vehicle carries a fine, a possible ‘unfit’ discontinuance sticker, and possible impoundment.
Ontology Driver Documents and Roadworthiness [part-of] Rules of the Road
Connections
- Rules of the Road — part_of_topic, source: 2026-06-28
- National Road Traffic Regulations 2000 — derived_from_source, source: 2026-06-28