Official Motus K53 learners & Drivers Manual
K53 - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Clear, Simple Answers to Common K53 Questions
Struggling to pass the K53 learner’s test? This FAQ guide answers all your key questions — from common mistakes to smart tips that can help you pass the test the first time.
K53 Learner's Test - FAQ's
- Rolling at a Stop Sign – Not coming to a complete stop at a stop street.
- Not Checking Blind Spots – Forgetting to check mirrors and blind spots before moving off or changing lanes.
- Poor Observation at Intersections – Not looking left, right, then left again when approaching intersections.
- Incorrect Clutch Control – Coasting or stalling the vehicle, especially during hill starts or when stopping.
- Speeding or Driving Too Slowly – Failing to drive at the correct speed limit or driving too cautiously.
- Parking Errors – Hitting the curb or not completing parallel or alley docking correctly.
- Incorrect Use of Indicators – Forgetting to signal or cancelling indicators too late.
- Disobeying Road Markings – Driving over solid lines or ignoring lane instructions.
- Lack of Control – Steering too harshly or not keeping both hands on the wheel.
- Nervousness or Lack of Confidence – Hesitating at intersections or struggling to make decisions.
The test is divided into three sections:
Rules of the Road – 30 questions (pass mark: 22/30)
Road Signs – 30 questions (pass mark: 23/30)
Vehicle Controls – 8 questions (pass mark: 6/8)
16 years – For motorcycles (up to 125cc).
17 years – For light motor vehicles.
18 years – For heavy motor vehicles.
Your learner’s licence is valid for 24 months (2 years) from the date it’s issued.
No. You must always be accompanied by a fully licensed driver when driving on public roads.
Yes! The learner’s test is available in all 11 official South African languages: Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga. You can request your preferred language when booking.
The learner’s licence test costs R108, plus additional administrative fees that vary by province (typically R20-R50). Always confirm current fees with your local testing centre as these can change. See full list here: Driving licence test centres
Yes, you’ll need a valid eye test certificate that’s not older than 6 months. You can get this done at any optometrist or some testing centres offer on-site eye testing. If you wear glasses or contacts, you must wear them during the test.
It depends on your visa status and how long you’ve been in SA. Temporary residents can often convert their licence directly, but permanent residents typically need to take both learner’s and driver’s tests. Check with your local licensing department for your specific situation. See the full list here: Driving licence test centres
A PrDP (Professional Driving Permit learner’s) is for people wanting to drive taxis, buses, or trucks commercially. A regular learner’s licence is for private vehicle use. The PrDP has additional medical and theoretical requirements.
K53 Driving's Test FAQ's
The test is made up of three parts:
Pre-trip inspection – Checking that the vehicle is roadworthy.
Yard test – Includes parking, hill starts, and turning in a confined space.
Road test – Driving on public roads while following traffic rules.
The entire test usually takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the testing centre.
You’ll need the following:
Your learner’s licence
Your ID
Booking receipt
Proof of payment
You can rebook immediately, but availability depends on open test dates at your chosen centre.
Your South African driver’s licence is valid for 5 years, after which it must be renewed.
Poor observations, especially failing to check blind spots properly. Other common failures include incorrect following distance, not coming to complete stops at stop signs, and poor clutch control during hill starts.
Yes, but your licence will be restricted to automatic vehicles only (Code 1A). If you want to drive both manual and automatic cars, you must take your test in a manual vehicle (Code 1).
You can request a re-evaluation on the same day, but this costs an additional fee and is rarely successful unless there was a clear administrative error. It’s usually better to take the feedback, practice more, and rebook.
No, only you and the examiner are allowed in the vehicle during the test. Your instructor must wait outside. Some testing centres allow instructors to observe the yard test from a distance, but not the road test.
If another driver causes an accident or dangerous situation that’s clearly not your fault, the examiner will typically either continue the test or reschedule without penalty. However, how you react to the situation (staying calm, following proper procedures) may still be evaluated.
FINAL TIP
Preparing for your test? Use the Official K53 App and Manual to study smarter. Practise consistently, stay calm, and trust your training — You’ve got this!
