The Code 8 learners test, explained

South Africa replaced numeric licence codes with letter codes, but the old numbers are still what most people say. A Code 8 licence is printed as B on the credit-card licence: a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle with a gross vehicle mass of 3 500 kg or less, towing a trailer of up to 750 kg. That covers almost every car, bakkie and small van on the road, which is why it is the most common licence written in the country.

If you need to tow a trailer heavier than 750 kg behind a light vehicle, that is code EB (the old Code 10 light combination). Anything over 3 500 kg falls under the heavy codes covered in the K53 Code 14 (EC) heavy vehicle learners test guide.

The learner's licence has only three codes. A Code 8 candidate writes the Code 2 learners test, which covers light motor vehicles. Motorcycles are Code 1 and heavy vehicles are Code 3; the practical test you take afterwards is the one tied to the specific vehicle you drive.

• Rules of the road — 28 questions, pass 22

  Right of way, following distances, speed limits, parking and stopping rules, and what you may and may not do in traffic.

• Road signs, signals and markings — 28 questions, pass 23

  The six sign families plus road markings and the signals given by traffic officers and traffic lights.

• Vehicle controls — 8 questions, pass 6

  The controls of a light motor vehicle — pedals, gear lever, handbrake, indicators, lights and instruments — and what each one does.

Each section is passed independently: falling short on any one of the three fails the whole paper, even if your total looks comfortable. Full detail on the K53 learners test: sections and pass marks.

In K53 Examiner, choosing Code 2 in your profile scopes every question, quiz and mock exam to light-vehicle content, so you never study material the Code 8 paper will not ask.

• You must be 17 or older to write the Code 2 learners test.
• ID or valid passport, plus a copy.
• Two black-and-white ID photographs (some centres take them).
• Proof of residence and the completed LL1 form.
• The booking fee, which is set per province.
• An eye test, done at the testing centre.

A learner's licence is valid for 24 months and cannot be extended. You must pass the practical driving test within that window or write the learners paper again.

Booking steps: how to book at a DLTC or on NaTIS, and the full South African licence code guide.

• Signs first — they carry the largest section and the highest pass mark, and they are pure recognition.
• Right of way at intersections, traffic circles and four-way stops, which is where most rules-of-the-road marks are lost.
• Following distances, speed limits and parking or stopping restrictions.
• Vehicle controls: know each pedal, the gear lever, handbrake, indicators and warning lights by name and function.

Drill signs until recognition is instant with the South African K53 road signs and their meanings, then test yourself against the K53 questions and answers learners get wrong.

Start with 10 free K53 practice questions — no account needed. Then create a free account, set your licence code to Code 2, and work through the study guide, section quizzes and timed mock exams until all three sections clear their pass marks.