Rules in detail: Learner's licence codes and applying

Code 1 learner's licence (motorcycles): age and engine size

What the rule says. A code 1 learner's licence authorises you to ride a motorcycle on a public road. You must be at least 16 years old to get it. If you are under 18, you may only ride a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity (engine size) not exceeding 125 cubic centimetres.

Why it matters. Younger riders are kept to smaller engines while they learn.

In practice. A 17-year-old with a code 1 learner's licence may ride a 125 cc motorcycle but not a larger one. The same rider may only ride a bigger engine after turning 18.

Key idea: Code 1: at least 16 years old, and under 18 means 125 cc or less.

Code 1 learners may not carry passengers

What the rule says. The manual states twice that a learner's licence for a motorcycle does not authorise carrying passengers. A code 1 learner may not ride a motorcycle on a public road while carrying another person.

Why it matters. A learner is still building skill and should not be responsible for someone else's safety on the bike.

In practice. A 16-year-old with a code 1 learner's licence is asked by a friend for a lift home on the back of the motorcycle. The learner must say no, because carrying another person is not allowed on a learner's licence.

Key idea: A code 1 learner rides alone, never with a passenger.

Code 2 learner's licence: age, vehicles and supervision

What the rule says. You must be at least 17 years old to get a code 2 learner's licence. It authorises you to drive any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles other than a motorcycle or motor tricycle, as long as the tare, the Gross Vehicle Mass and the Gross Combination Mass of the vehicle or vehicles do not exceed 3 500 kilograms. You may drive only under the direct supervision of a person who holds a driving licence for that class of vehicle. The licence is valid for 24 months from the day the approved test was passed.

In practice. A 17-year-old who passed the learner's test on 10 March has a licence that runs for 24 months from that date. While it is valid, the learner drives a light vehicle only with a licensed driver beside them.

Key idea: Code 2: at least 17 years old, up to 3 500 kg, supervised, valid 24 months.

Code 3 learner's licence: age, supervision and validity

What the rule says. You must be at least 18 years old to get a code 3 learner's licence. The manual names it the code for light and heavy motor vehicles. It does not cover a motorcycle, a motor tricycle or a motor quadricycle. You must drive under the direct supervision of a person who holds a driving licence for the class of vehicle you are driving. The licence is valid for 24 months from the date on which the approved test was passed.

In practice. An 18-year-old who wants to learn on a heavy vehicle must have a licensed driver for that class sitting beside them. Driving alone on a learner's licence is never allowed.

Key idea: Code 3: at least 18 years old, supervised, valid 24 months, no motorcycles.

Two kinds of licence

What the rule says. A licence to drive a motor vehicle is issued by a driving licence testing centre, in line with the National Road Traffic Act. It is one of two kinds: a provisional licence, which is known as a learner's licence, or a licence known as a driving licence.

In practice. Someone who has passed only the learner's test holds the provisional document and must follow the learner's conditions, such as supervision. Only the full driving licence is issued for driving without those learner conditions. Whichever kind you hold, it must be issued by a testing centre and not by anyone else, so keep it safe and do not lend it out.

Key idea: A learner's licence is the provisional licence; a driving licence is the full one.

Applying for a learner's licence

What the rule says. You apply at a driving licence testing centre on form LL1. With the form you must hand in two identical photographs of yourself, black and white or colour, and acceptable identification together with a photocopy of it. If you are 65 years of age or older, you must also hand in a medical certificate on form MC, signed by a medical practitioner or occupational health practitioner, certifying that you are not disqualified from getting a learner's or driving licence. You must also pay the fee set by the MEC of the province.

In practice. A 70-year-old applicant must bring the signed form MC as well as the photographs and identification.

Key idea: Form LL1, two photos, ID and copy, fee, and form MC if you are 65 or older.

Driving only under a licence, and keeping it with you

What the rule says. No person may drive a motor vehicle on a public road except under the authority and conditions of a licence issued under the National Road Traffic Act. You must also keep that licence or document with you in the vehicle.

Why it matters. A licence left at home cannot be shown to a traffic officer at a roadblock.

In practice. If you realise at a roadblock that your licence is at home, you have broken the rule, because the document must be in the vehicle with you. Check for it before you pull away.

Key idea: Drive within your licence's conditions and keep it in the vehicle with you.

Quick recap

• Code 1 (motorcycle): at least 16 years old; under 18 means 125 cc or less; no passengers
• Code 2 (light vehicles): at least 17 years old; vehicle limit 3 500 kg; not motorcycles or tricycles
• Code 3 (light and heavy vehicles): at least 18 years old; not motorcycles, tricycles or quadricycles
• Code 2 and code 3 learners drive under direct supervision of a licensed driver for that class
• Learner's licences (codes 2 and 3) are valid for 24 months from the day the test was passed
• Applicants aged 65 or older must hand in a signed medical certificate on form MC
• Keep your licence with you in the vehicle whenever you drive