The Arrive Alive website was recently informed of some learner guides who may have incorrect information on this topic!
“Dear Sirs Your information book on the K 53 learners licence specifically states that a person of 17 years or older may apply for and obtain a learners licence for a motorcycle exceeding 125cc in capacity. This is incorrect and misleading. I refer you to section 15 (a) iii of the Road Traffic Act which specifies a minimum age for this category of licence of 18 years. I would request that you amend your literature as a matter of urgency. We have today had a report of a 17 year old taking delivery of a 1000cc motorcycle based on your literature (area Mpumulanga).I dread to think of the consequences should he get hurt. Kind regards Lachlan Harris National Director, Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors.”
The Law on Minimum Age – Learners Licence for Motorcycle
- Disqualification from obtaining or holding learner’s or driving licence
- A person shall be disqualified from obtaining or holding a learner’s or driving licence—
- if he or she—
- in the case of any licence for a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle having an enginewith a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cubic centimetres or which is propelled by electrical power or which is a vehicle as contemplated in paragraph (b) of the definition of “motor vehicle”, is under the age of 16 years;
- inthe case of a learner’s licence for a light motor vehicle, being a motor vehicle not of a class referred to in subparagraph (i) and the tare of which does not exceed 3 500 kilograms or, where such motor vehicle is—
(aa) a bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kilograms; (bb) an articulated motor vehicle, the gross combination mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kilograms, is under the age of 17 years; or
- in the case of any other licence, is under the age of 18 years;
To summarize:
You can get a learner’s licence for a motorcycle over 125cc at a minimum age of 18, and for a car, minibus, small goods vehicle or larger vehicle at a minimum age of 17. You can get a learner license for a motorcycle between 50cc and 125cc at a minimum age of 16.”
For a more insightful article on questions around the K53 Motorcycle Learner and License Test, please refer to – https://www.msi.org.za/questions-about-the-k53-motorcycle-license-test/
HEIN JONKER | Founder & Chief Instructor
Website: www.msi.org.za