Question

Good day. Do you have a list , or can you recommend, accredited training providers that specialize in training for truck drivers? I am more interested in a list of accredited training providers that offer courses, for eg. economic or defensive driving, for trucks. I'm not looking for driving licences, just a course to improve the actual driving performance.

Answer

There are no accredited training providers for driving licenses (irrespective of code) as this is not necessary in terms of the National Road Traffic Act. There are accredited training providers for qualifications or courses in the transport industry – and in some of these qualifications you will find driving licences as being [part of the course].
 
No – as far as we are aware there are no such companies. Accredited companies (of any nature in the transport industry) would be listed with the Transport Education & Training Authority (TETA). Check on their website (www.teta.co.za)

Question

Are there any medical examinations prescribed for truck drivers in terms of the new AARTO system or is it only the one required for the PrDP?

Answer

The only medical examination is prescribed as part of the PrDP in the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA 93 of 1996). AARTO only deals with offences and the administration thereof coupled to the Point Demerit System.

Question

While in congested traffic in traffic circle (Brooklyn), waiting to move ahead, having to reverse vehicle in order to avoid vehicle 1 from side, looking in all rear mirrors, reversing slightly, vehicle 2 approaches from behind and hits my rear end. Who's at fault? No damage to my car and neither visible of vehicle 2. Must I report to Police Station and Insurance.

Answer

Yes - You will have to report this to the SAPS. Also view Legal Duties on the website. http://www.arrivealive.co.za/legal.aspx

Question

Hi, who can i contact to make a 2 way stop a 4 way stop street?

Answer

The person must submit the request the relevant responsible provincial or local traffic authority to further investigate and substantiate/motivate the application and also consider whether a mini-circle will not be more appropriate - depending traffic and geometric road conditions.

Question

Hello, Is it possible to find out what road requirements are needed for a Zimbabwean transporter to operate legally in South Africa. The information needed is for permits and or licences required. Thank you

Answer

Firstly – you need to meet the requirements as agreed to between your country and South Africa (these are available from your country’s department of transport or from the Cross Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) – contact details are www.cbrta.co.za. You will get all the relevant information as to routes, permits and Cabotage requirements / regulations.

Whilst operating in the country, your operations must conform to the National Road Traffic Act. Your drivers are allowed to drive on Zimbabwean driver’s licences as long as they are for the same category of vehicle and are valid (ie not expired).

Your first stop is, however, with the CBRTA

Question

My partner was arrested for driving under the influence, his breathaliser test showed 0.04. He went to court the next week and was told by an attorney there that the chances of the breathaliser test being admissible in court was unlikely as there had been doubts about whether the results were accurate on certain equipment. He also said that if the state wanted to prove the accuracy of the test, they would have to have an expert witness from Germany (where the breathalisers come from). Is this true?

Answer

ARE DRAEGER 7110 BREATHALYZER RESULTS LEGAL IN COURT?

NRTA 93/1996 Section 65 Regulation 332 – Equipment used in ascertaining concentration of alcohol in breath.

1) Correct Breathalyzer Machine as allowed in the Act, including Draeger 7110, German & Australian Model.
2) The Breathalyzer must be calibrated at least once every 6 months by an accredited laboratory and a calibration certificate issued.
3) The Breathalyzer must be operated by a qualified operator as allowed in the Act

The Draeger 7110 Breathalyzer is an extremely accurate machine, which is used all around the world.It either works, or it does not work, and cannot take a reading.

For it to be used legally in SA it has to be calibrated every 6mths, by a certified agent, and have a Certificate to prove this.It has to be operated by a person who has done a course on operating them, and has the certificate to prove this.

These readings are legally accepted without question in KZN and Gauteng (& some other Provinces in SA)
They should be accepted everywhere, just like they are internationally used and accepted.

We have our own Draeger experts in SA who certify the Machines are accurate, so we do not have to have experts come out from Germany.

Drink Driving is causing too many deaths and injuries in SA. I suggest your partner should go to the SADD website and learn about Units of Alcohol and the elimination rates of alcohol, or alternately go to SANCA for education and treatment if necessary.

South Africans Against Drunk Driving

Question

Is there a bussiness in the Durban area who will provide a driver to drive your own car home after a rugby game at say ABSA park?

Answer

Good Fellas do this. (Good Fellas-The Smart way to get home.)Contact them on 0861433 552.

It is advisable to sign up monthly with them for a totally efficient service.Well done for using a service when you have been drinking.

Best wishes,Caro

Caro Smit
South Africans Against Drunk Driving

There is also a Reliable youngster from reports from Wings Club Officials...

Question

If you are travelling on the N1 South near the Diepkloof interchange the speed limit drops to 60km by the construction site. The freeway then splits into N1 & N12. If you continue on the N1 South there are signs that signal 60km zone. If you take the N12 split there are no road works and no signs at all until +- 1km then its 120km. I want to know if once you take the N12 split is that automatically a 120km zone and if not why dont they put up a sign that says 60km? The JMPD are trapping under the bridge just after the split on the N12, but before you can see the 120km sign, is this allowed if there arent any speed reduction signs.

Answer

The previous road sign will apply if there is no other intersecting roads.
 
The speed limit that is posted applies, but if it clearly looks that the lower limit should not apply it may be worthwhile taking it up with Adv Dicker and Director Gernicke of JHB Metro.
 
I have had quite a few enquiries on this as I know of about 12 persons who were charged who were all under the impression that the speed limit  is 120 km/h there.

Question

my husband has conviction for drinking and driving from 2006. he is a paramedic and need prdp to operate ambulance. we have been trying for over a year to find ways to appeal but has had no succes as yet and he is now suspended until prdp is issued to him.our problem is that the conviction will only expire april 2011 and his employers will not wait that long . please dvise on what we can do to resolve issue

Answer

The only way to resolve the issue is for the MEC to approve the PrDP.

Appeals may be directed to the MEC of the province where the person applies for the PrDP.

Please see an extract of regulation 125 below for the process to appeal to the MEC.

I must add that the likelihood of getting a positive result from the appeal is rather slim given the nature of the conviction.

125.   Referral of application to MEC
(1)  If an applicant for a professional driving permit complies with all the requirements and conditions specified in the regulations but has—
(a)       not been certified to be medically fit as referred to in regulation 117 (b); or
(b)       within a period of five years prior to the date of the application, been convicted of an offence referred to in regulation 117 (c),
he or she may request the driving licence testing centre concerned to refer his or her application to the MEC for a decision whether or not a professional driving permit may be issued.
(2)  An application referred to the MEC for a decision shall be accompanied by the applicant’s reasons why the application should be re-considered as well as a recommendation from the testing centre whether the application should be re-considered.
(3)  If the MEC approves that a professional driving permit may be issued, he or she shall—
(a)       ensure that such approval is recorded on the register of professional driving permits; and
(b)       inform the driving licence testing centre concerned accordingly,
and the testing centre shall deal with the application in accordance with regulation 119.
(4)  If the MEC refuses the application, the testing centre concerned and the applicant shall be informed accordingly.

Question

I have a client who has an Irish Driver's license. In Feb 09 he had a motor vehicle accident. In order to settle the claim, the Insurer requires confirmation that his Irish Driver's license is valid in the SA. He has approached the Traffic Dept.,who merely confirmed his application for his South African Driver's license. Whom can he contact to confirm the validity of his Irish Driver's license?

Answer

To confirm the validity of the Irish riving licence, the holder should contact a competent authority (usually his embassy or consulate).

Regulation 110 of the National Road Traffic Regulations specifies when foreign driving licence is deemed to be a driving licence in South Africa.

• The licence must be in an official language of the Republic (usually English)
• It must have a photograph and  signature of the holder attached to the document, and
• It must not have expired.

The holder of the licence should convert their licence to a SA driving licence within 1 year of obtaining permanent residence.