|
FleetWatch receives numerous enquiries from readers all of which we answer direct. However, there are some queries which we feel will be of interest to our wider readership and with this in mind, we reproduce here some of the questions and answers dealt with over the recent past. Unless otherwise stated, the answers are provided by our legislation correspondent and general road transport guru, Jack Webster. Readers can direct any questions to The Editor at
fleetwatch@pixie.co.za
or fax them to (011) 794-1474.
 |
Please could you advise what is the latest regarding the usage of a Superlink as I am in the process of purchasing one but have heard that the legislation regarding the use of Superlinks will be changing and that they will no longer be allowed on South African roads in the future. Please could you advise if and when this will be tabled?
Jean and Coreen van der Berg
|
|
|
 |
You're referring to a Superlink Combination but you do not state what goods you wish to transport and this is important. The industry's conception of a Superlink Combination is a Truck-Tractor with a semi-trailer having a deck length of just over 6m and a second semi-trailer having a deck length of just over 12m. Basically, a Superlink Combination is usually used to transport one 6m ISO container on the front semi-trailer and two 6m ISO containers or one 12m ISO container on the rear semi-trailer.
What the industry refers to as a conventional Interlink Combination consists of a Truck-Tractor and two semi-trailers, each with a deck length of ± 9 m to make a total deck length available of 18 m.
Insofar as Superlink Combinations being prohibited in SA, this is true but only if the Combination is transporting Dangerous Goods because South Africa has decided on a Code of Practice conforming to the ADR where a drawing vehicle will only be permitted to draw one trailer and, of course, a Superlink tows two semi-trailers. But I stress, this applies only if carrying Dangerous Goods.
Therefore, in responding to your e-mail I would say that if you want a Superlink to carry Dangerous Goods, you are correct in assuming that the Superlink will in future be prohibited in the SA legislation. However, if the combination is not carrying Dangerous Goods, there is no known plan to prohibit such a combination from the SA legislation.
Similarly, if the combination you propose is an Interlink, then there is still no intention of excluding an Interlink from the SA legislation. I would, however, warn you that if you intend including transportation to Maputo, then Interlink and Superlink Combinations are only legal in Mozambique in the corridor from the SA border to the Maputo harbour.
|
|
|
Thank you for an excellent and informative magazine. Could you please answer this question? Are Zambian and Zimbabwean drivers driving trucks in RSA legal? Some have International Driving Licences but none have a PrDP. The insurers do not really know and refer us to licensing departments which give different answers depending on who you speak to.
Sean du Toit
|
|
|
|
Firstly, I must mention
one fundamental. A Zambian driver - or any other foreign driver with a foreign licence - can only drive on the authority of that licence providing he is driving a vehicle registered in the foreign country from which the licence was issued. A Zambian driver can come into South Africa and drive a Zambian registered and licensed vehicle on his Zambian licence but he cannot drive a South African registered and licensed vehicle on his Zambian licence.
Secondly, your e-mail mentions International Driving Licences. I must correct this by stating that there is no such licence. I assume that you are referring to an International Driving Permit - not a licence - and this is not an authority to drive a vehicle. It's main use is in the case of people driving on licences in South Africa which licence is not in one of the two official languages - English or Afrikaans - and an International Driving Permit, which is issued not by the Licensing Authority but by such authorities as the AA and is used to translate the foreign language into English or Afrikaans.
Now to deal with your specific question. A Zambian driver driving a Zambian registered vehicle can come into SA, deliver a load or come and collect a load and this is perfectly legal but he cannot come into South Africa and get a job driving a South African registered vehicle on his Zambian licence.
With regard to the PrDP, this is a problem as a non-SA resident who does not possess a South African ID cannot obtain a South African PrDP. I hasten to add that there are many illegal foreign drivers driving South African vehicles on their foreign licences illegally and they are not prosecuted because of the lack of meaningful and efficient law enforcement! |
|
|
I am a photographer assistant and have just moved to South Africa. I have a British driving license which in England allows me to drive the equivalent to a Sprinter van. I have been told that in South Africa, the normal South African driver's license is not sufficient to drive a Sprinter van and that a test must be taken in order to drive a Sprinter. Can you please tell me if I can drive a Sprinter van on my existing British license or do I have to take the South African driving test? If this is the case, please could you tell me where it would be easiest to get my test as I believe that it is near impossible to get a test date soon. I'd really appreciate any help or pointers you can give me.
Toby Murphy
|
|
|
|
Welcome to South Africa
Toby. Do hope you are living happily in our lovely country! Firstly, I cannot give you a complete answer as I need more information from you. In South Africa, as I believe is the case in England, a driving licence does not prescribe the make or model of the vehicle that the licence authorises the holder to drive.
In South Africa, driving licences are classified according to the manufacturer's gross vehicle mass (GVM). Therefore, to accurately answer your question, I would like to know from you what class of vehicle your English license prescribes - not the make or model, but the gross mass of the vehicle.
In South Africa, a Code B and EB authorises the driver of a motor car or any other vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kg
(7 717.5 lbs). According to my records, the smallest Sprinter has a GVM of 3 550
(7 827.75 lbs). You do not state in your e-mail the size of the Sprinter you have. I assume it is over 3 550 kg GVM.
Therefore, what you need in South Africa is a C1 or EC1 license which you can obtain from your local driving licence testing centre. If you submit an application for a South African licence, together with details of your English driving license, then the Licensing Authority would exchange your English license for a South African license and no test would be necessary, providing your English license authorises that the driving of your Sprinter is for a higher GVM than your SA Sprinter.
I also point out that that your application must be made within one year (12 months) of your arrival in South Africa otherwise you will be subject to a driving test. |
|
|
Can I ask what the specifications like 6X2, 6X4, 4X2 etc on cargo trucks refers to? I'm getting it all twisted!
Dhikembe Mmudhara
|
|
|
|
Don't feel alone as a lot of people get it 'twisted'. The accompanying table gives the number of axles, wheels and driving wheels for the various categories of vehicles. I hope this untwists the issue for you. |
|
|
Please could you give me some information about the PrDP licence. I would like to know whether you need this licence for a 10-seater vehicle or only for a 14-seater vehicle.
Lyn Aird , ACE Ministries
|
|
|
|
The Professional Driving Permit
is in respect of the conveyance of persons for reward irrespective of the number of persons you carry. This is all contained in Regulation 115(1)(e) of the Road Traffic Regulations. I must also point out that if the passengers are conveyed for any form of reward, then the vehicle must hold a Roadworthy Certificate which must be renewed annually and a Road Carrier Permit must be obtained from the Road Transportation Board. However, if the passengers are private - not for reward (such as the family) - then no Road Carrier Permit is required and a Roadworthy Certificate is only required when the vehicle is purchased new or when ownership changes. Finally, the PrDP is not a licence - it is a Professional Driving PERMIT and is supplementary to the normal driving licence. |
|
|
