Document Checklist for Drivers (SA and ZW)

1Code 14 (EC) licence You already have this
It must stay valid through the whole process and for a few months after you arrive. If it expires soon — renew it now, not later. DLTC (Licensing Department) · renewal 1–2 weeks
2PDP — professional driving permit You already have this
Valid for 24 months. If it has expired or expires soon, renew immediately. You get a temporary permit right away; the card follows later. ~R500–1,000 (licence and PDP together) · card ~3–5 weeks · DLTC
3Passport
A valid passport. We recommend at least 2–3 years of validity left — otherwise you will have to redo it in Europe. ~R600 · ~4–8 weeks · Home Affairs / participating banks
4Police clearance (SAPS PCC)
Start with THIS — it is the longest step. The official turnaround is about 15 working days from the day the application reaches the Criminal Record Centre; in practice it is often 2–6 weeks. ~R150–200 · 2–6 weeks · any SAPS police station (fingerprints)
5Apostille for the police clearance
The apostille makes your police clearance valid in Europe. EuroTruck Jobs does not do apostilles — our partner agent arranges them for a fee. If you prefer, you can also do it yourself for free, directly with DIRCO. Where to send the original — message us on WhatsApp and we will send you the address. through our partner agent ~R1,000–2,200 · yourself with DIRCO — free
6International Driving Permit (IDP)
Issued the same day while you wait. Bring your passport, licence and a photo. ~R350–500 · same day (10–30 min) · Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa
7Proof of experience
An employer letter (company name and contacts, position, period, signature) OR an official driving record. Download a sample letter (PDF) — show it to your employer so they know what to write. free · depends on your employer
8Driving test
Pass the driving test at a driving school near you. The test is sent to the employer — so they can see you have real experience. ~R700–1,000 · A driving school near you · 1 day
9Prepare your copies (final step)
Clear copies and phone scans of ALL documents: passport, licence, PDP, police clearance with apostille, IDP, experience letter. ~R2–5 per page · 1 day

Rough document total: if your licence, PDP and passport are valid — about R1,200–2,700 when our partner agent handles the apostille, or about R350–700 when you handle it yourself. Add ~R600 for a new passport, or ~R500–1,000 to renew the licence and PDP.

What comes later: the driving test ~R700–1,000, the visa application ~R3,000–5,000 (stage 2) and the flight to Europe ~R8,500–15,000 (stage 3). We tell you now so you can plan — more in the migration and travel checklists.

These are 2026 guideline prices — institutions change them, so always check on the spot.

Get the full checklist (PDF) after each webinar — join the WhatsApp group →

Zimbabwe: keep preparing. Collecting your documents takes several months, so start now. When applications from Zimbabwe can move forward again, you will be ready straight away.

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Zimbabwe has its own process. Zimbabwe is an Apostille country, but the apostille is issued in Harare — not by DIRCO in South Africa. Do not follow the South African steps.

1Passport
2Driver's licence
3Police clearance
4Apostille
Done in Zimbabwe (Harare), not South Africa.
5International Driving Permit (IDP)
6Proof of experience
An employer letter (company name and contacts, position, period, signature) OR an official driving record. Download a sample letter (PDF) — show it to your employer so they know what to write.
7Driving test
Pass the driving test at a driving school near you. The test is sent to the employer — so they can see you have real experience. A driving school near you · 1 day
8Document copies

Items marked (to confirm) we verify individually — ask us in the WhatsApp group before you pay for anything.

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