International Driving Permit – South Africa

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An International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in any country other than South Africa (RSA), is valid to drive with in the RSA if:

  • The IDP was issued on a date on which the holder thereof has not been permanently or ordinarily resident in the RSA. A person is permanently resident in the RSA if he/she is a RSA citizen, or disposes over an official document issued by the Department of Home affairs that grants the right to permanently reside in the RSA, and he/she resides in the RSA. Contract workers and visitors are not permanently resident in the RSA if they do not comply with the aforementioned conditions, regardless of the length of their stay in the RSA and therefore the IDP will be valid until expiry. A person is ordinarily resident in the RSA if he/she is in the RSA on an extended visit of more than three months on a contract of employment (not just visiting); and
  • The IDP is accompanied by the driving licence on the authority of which such permit was issued. The driving licence may have been issued at any time even if the person resided permanently in the RSA at the time the licence was issued and may be in any foreign language and without a photograph and signature; and
  • The IDP is valid (i.e. it has not expired yet).

An IDP remains valid until the expiry date of the IDP OR until the driving licence on the authority of which such permit was issued is no longer valid OR until the holder thereof has been permanently resident for a continuous period of 1 year in the RSA, whichever is earlier.

The holder of an IDP may drive a motor vehicle of the appropriate class for own use. The person concerned may not drive a motor vehicle for which a professional driving permit is required.

How to Get an International Driving Permit in South Africa? 

An International Driving Permit is a translation of your national driving license. The IDP allows motorists to drive vehicles in foreign countries. You must always have your IDP along with your national license at all times. To get an International Driving Permit in South Africa, visit AA South Africa.

Contact:

For more information, contact our Travel Office Directly on:

Call 0861 000 234 (select option 5, then option 1).  

Available Monday to Friday, from 08h00 – 17h00. 

A complete list of National Sales agents is available on the AA South Africa Website

More Information:

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a legal document, valid for 1 year or until the expiry of your driver’s licence, whichever comes first. 

In many countries English is not an official language, so your IDP will provide a translation of your South African driver’s licence into several languages as well as the five official UN languages. This allows your licence to be read and understood in many countries. It also provides validation of your South African driver’s licence, and an alternative proof of identification when you travel in foreign countries and need to rent a car or obtain insurance. 

An International Drivers Permit must be applied for in the country in which you obtained your driver’s licence before you travel. South African residents can apply online through the South African Automobile Association. Please note that The AA cannot issue an IDP to citizens of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland who are in the possession of a valid driver’s licence issued in that country but The AA can issue an IDP to citizens of Namibia who are in the possession of a valid Namibian driver’s licence.

Requirements:

All you need to do is fill out an application form, submit a photo and copies of the following valid documents:

• South African Identity Document

• A valid South African driver’s licence (please check expiry date before applying)

• Your postal code

• Two (2) glossy passport size photograph per International Driving Permit type. 

(Photographs can be taken at selected stores. Please confirm with store before collecting your IDP)

How does the International Driving Permit application process work?

• Once you have submitted your application it will be sent to your chosen AA Accredited Sales Agent store for processing

• You will receive confirmation by email that the store has received your application. The contact details and address of the store are included in the email. Please bring this confirmation email with as proof of your order.

• Please bring all of your documents with you (as listed above) when you collect your International Driving Permit

• You will leave with your official International Driving Permit

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Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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