What Can You Drive with a Code 10 (C1) Licence? Full Vehicle List

TL;DR: A Code 10 (C1) licence lets you drive trucks, buses, and goods vehicles between 3,500 kg and 16,000 kg GVM. You can also drive a normal car — Code C1 includes Code B privileges. You cannot drive a motorcycle (that needs a separate Code A or A1). You can only tow a trailer up to 750 kg unless you upgrade to EC1.

One of the most common questions South African drivers ask is: "What exactly can I drive with a Code 10?" The short answer is — a lot more than you might think, but there are important limits to understand. This guide covers every vehicle type, the PrDP rules, and the questions Google shows people ask the most.

Code 10 and Code C1 — Are They the Same?

Yes, they are the same licence. South Africa switched from a numbered system to a letter-based system in 1998:

• Code 8 became Code B (light vehicles)
• Code 10 became Code C1 (medium-heavy vehicles)
• Code 14 became Code C (extra-heavy vehicles)

Your licence card shows "C1" under the current system. When people say "Code 10," they are referring to Code C1.

Weight Limits: What Code C1 Covers

Code C1 authorises you to drive motor vehicles, buses, minibuses, and goods vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) between 3,500 kg and 16,000 kg.

GVM is the maximum loaded weight of the vehicle — that includes the vehicle itself, passengers, fuel, and cargo.

| Licence Code | GVM Range | Old Code Name |

|---|---|---|

| Code B | Up to 3,500 kg | Code 8 |

| Code C1 | 3,500 kg – 16,000 kg | Code 10 |

| Code C | Over 16,000 kg (no limit) | Code 14 |

Full List of Vehicles You Can Drive with Code C1

Medium Trucks and Goods Vehicles

These are the primary vehicles Code C1 is designed for:

• 4-ton and 8-ton delivery trucks — the workhorse vehicles for logistics and courier companies
• Box trucks and refrigerated trucks — used for food delivery and cold chain transport
• Tow trucks — within the 16,000 kg GVM range
• Refuse collection trucks — municipal waste trucks in this weight class
• Mobile workshops and crane trucks — specialised utility vehicles
• Flatbed trucks — for transporting building materials and equipment

A specific example: the Isuzu SBR 500 has a GVM of 8,999 kg and falls squarely within Code C1 territory.

Buses and Passenger Vehicles

Code C1 covers buses and minibuses within the weight range:

• Minibus taxis — most 16-seater minibuses fall within Code C1's GVM range
• Small to medium buses — shuttle buses, tour buses, and staff transport vehicles
• Ambulances — within the GVM range

Important: If you carry passengers commercially (for payment), you also need a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) Category P, and you must be at least 21 years old. More on PrDP rules below.

Light Vehicles (Code B Included)

A Code C1 licence automatically includes Code B privileges. This means you can also drive:

• Passenger cars — sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs
• Light delivery vehicles — bakkies and pickups
• Any vehicle with a GVM up to 3,500 kg

You do not need a separate Code B licence if you hold a Code C1.

Can I Drive a Bus with Code 10?

Yes — if it falls within the weight range.

Code C1 explicitly covers buses and minibuses with a GVM between 3,500 kg and 16,000 kg. Most standard minibuses and medium-sized buses fall within this range.

However, there are two important conditions:

1. Commercial passenger transport requires a PrDP Category P — if you are carrying passengers for payment (taxi service, shuttle service, tour bus), you need a Professional Driving Permit in addition to your Code C1 licence.
2. Age requirement for PrDP-P is 21 — even though you can get a Code C1 at 18, you must be 21 to hold a PrDP for passenger transport.

If you are driving a bus for personal use or as a staff vehicle (not carrying passengers for reward), the Code C1 licence alone is sufficient.

Can I Drive a Motorcycle with Code 10?

No. This is one of the most common misconceptions.

Motorcycles are covered by completely separate licence categories:

• Code A1 — motorcycles with engines up to 125cc (available from age 16)
• Code A — motorcycles with engines over 125cc (available from age 18)

Code C1 does not include any motorcycle permissions. Even a Code C or Code EC (the highest licence) does not allow you to ride a motorcycle. You always need a separate Code A or A1 licence for that.

If you want both a truck licence and a motorcycle licence, you need to hold two separate licences — for example, Code C1 + Code A.

Can I Tow a Trailer with Code 10?

Only a light trailer up to 750 kg GVM.

Code C1 on its own permits towing a trailer with a GVM of up to 750 kg. This covers small unbraked utility trailers.

To tow a heavier trailer (over 750 kg), you need to upgrade to Code EC1. The "E" prefix is what grants heavier trailer-towing permission:

| Licence | Trailer Limit |

|---|---|

| Code B | Up to 750 kg |

| Code C1 | Up to 750 kg |

| Code EB | Over 750 kg (with light vehicle) |

| Code EC1 | Over 750 kg (with medium vehicle) |

| Code EC | Over 750 kg (with heavy vehicle) |

PrDP Rules: When You Need a Professional Driving Permit

A PrDP (Professional Driving Permit) is required when you drive commercially — that is, for income. It applies in these situations:

| PrDP Category | What It Covers | Minimum Age |

|---|---|---|

| G (Goods) | Transporting goods commercially in vehicles over 3,500 kg GVM | 18 years |

| P (Passengers) | Transporting passengers for reward (12+ persons, or taxi-cabs) | 21 years |

| D (Dangerous Goods) | Transporting hazardous materials (fuel, chemicals) | 25 years |

PrDP requirements include:

• A valid driver's licence for the vehicle category
• A medical certificate of fitness
• A police clearance (no relevant criminal record in the past 5 years)
• The PrDP is valid for 24 months and must be renewed

If you are driving a Code C1 vehicle for personal use only, you do not need a PrDP.

Code C1 Requirements: How to Get Your Code 10

Age and Prerequisites

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Learner's licence required: Code 3 learner's licence
• Previous licence needed: None — you can apply directly for Code C1 without first holding a Code B

Steps to Get Your Code C1

1. Pass the Code 3 learner's licence test — a theory test covering heavy vehicle rules, road signs, and the K53 system
2. Complete driving training — most learners need 10–15 lessons at a driving school with a medium-heavy vehicle
3. Pass the K53 driving test — a practical driving test in a vehicle within the 3,500–16,000 kg GVM range
4. Receive your licence card — issued by your local traffic department

Cost

The total cost to get a Code C1 licence typically ranges from R6,000 to R15,000, including:

• Learner's licence fees: R150–R340
• 10–15 driving lessons: R2,500–R7,500
• Driving test booking + issuing: R340
• Test-day truck hire: from R710

For a full cost breakdown, see our driving lesson prices guide.

Code C1 vs Code C: What's the Difference?

| Feature | Code C1 (Code 10) | Code C (Code 14) |

|---|---|---|

| GVM Range | 3,500 – 16,000 kg | Over 16,000 kg (no upper limit) |

| Vehicle Type | Medium trucks, medium buses | Heavy trucks, large buses, extra-heavy vehicles |

| Includes Code B? | Yes | Yes (includes B and C1) |

| Minimum Age | 18 years | 18 years |

| Typical Cost | R6,000 – R15,000 | R12,000 – R30,000 |

| Learner's Code | Code 3 | Code 3 |

If you need to drive vehicles heavier than 16,000 kg — such as large construction trucks, heavy buses, or extra-heavy rigid vehicles — you need to upgrade to Code C.

Find a Driving School for Code C1 Training

Ready to get your Code 10 licence? Browse certified driving schools in your area that offer Code C1 (Code 10) training. Compare prices, read reviews, and book your first lesson.

Find Code 10 driving schools near you →

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• All Driving Licence Codes Explained
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• How Much Do Driving Lessons Cost in South Africa?
• Can I Drive a Bakkie or Taxi With Code 8?