The professional driving permit (PrDP)
INFORMATION BROCHURE
Insurance brokers are experiencing a number of repudiations of claims from insurance companies based on the fact that drivers involved in incidents do not hold valid Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs). This is probably the most widely used reason for claims repudiation by insurance companies who specialise in the heavy commercial vehicle and passenger transport market . Factory & Industrial has attempted to assist brokers who are advising their client by way of this brief information brochure.
Different Categories of PrDP’s
Firstly, let's look at the different categories of PrDPs which, in the new road traffic and road transport regulations, are divided into three categories:
Category "G"
This category authorises driving of goods vehicles over 3 500 kilograms and breakdown vehicles.
Category "P"
This category authorises driving with the above vehicles as well as a bus, a mini-bus and motor vehicle used for the conveyance of persons for reward, a motor vehicle conveying more than 12 persons.
Category "D"
This category authorises driving all of the above vehicles as well as a goods vehicle carrying dangerous goods, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms or a vehicle to which standard specification SABS 1398 applies (Road tank vehicles for petroleum-based flammable liquids) or SABS 1518 (transportation of dangerous goods - design requirements for road tankers) applies.
It is important to note that the authority provided by a PrDP only applies in respect of a vehicle for which the applicant holds a valid driving licence.
Application for a PrDP
The driver of a vehicle should apply at a driving licence testing centre for a professional driving permit on the relevant form. Such application shall be accompanied by:
(a) / the fee for an application for a professional driving permit as prescribed by the province concerned;(b) / acceptable identification of the applicant;
(c) / two suitable photographs;
(d) / the original driving licence which authorises the applicant to drive the motor vehicle to which his or her application for a professional driving permit relates;
(e) / the relevant training certificate (only applicable in respect of dangerous goods)
(f) / a certificate of medical fitness;
(g) / any other professional driving permit or public driving permit already held by the applicant.
If the driving licence testing centre is satisfied that the application is in order, it shall request the officer in charge of the nearest SAPS station for a report of the convictions, if any, recorded against the applicant and for the purpose of such report, the police may take the finger and palm prints of any applicant.
At the conclusion of this procedure, the applicant should then wait for a response from the relevant driving testing centre. It is important that this procedure is concluded before the expiry of the current professional driving permit or public driving permit as the case may be.
If at any time the current professional driving permit or public driving permit expires, the relevant driver is not permitted to drive in terms of the Act. If he does so and is involved in an accident, the insurance company may repudiate any claim made against it.
Disqualification
Important to note are what disqualifies a driver from obtaining a PrDP. A professional driving permit shall not be issued:
(b) / unless, in the case of an application for a category P and D professional driving permit, the applicant is of the age of 21 years and 25 years respectively, or over;
(c) / unless a registered medical practitioner or occupational health practitioner has examined the applicant to determine whether or not he or she is disqualified from driving, and has certified the applicant to be medically fit;
(d) / if the applicant has, within 5 years prior to the date of the application, been convicted of:
- / driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug having a narcotic effect;
- / driving a motor vehicle while the concentration of alcohol in the blood or breath exceeds any statutory limitation;
- / reckless or negligent driving; or
- / in the case of an application for a category P and D permit, an offence of which violence was an element;
(e) / during any period of time for which a professional driving permit or driving licence held by the applicant has been suspended or if such permit or licence has been cancelled; or
(f) / unless the applicant for a category D permit holds a certificate of training from an approved training body.
Remains in force
Notwithstanding anything contained in the regulations, where a person applies for a new professional driving permit in the manner contemplated in the regulations before the expiring of the professional driving permit held by such person, that permit remains valid until such holder is notified of the result of his or her application for a new professional driving permit.
It is absolutely critical, therefore, that timeous application for the renewal of the Professional Driving Permit is made. The incredible inconvenience and interruption to business can be avoided by making sure that all drivers make application for the renewal of professional driving permits before the expiry of the valid one.
Acknowledgements : Foresight Publications : Fleetwatch
Here is a simple check system by Forseight Publications to check if a Professional Driving Permit is required.
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