The following article is to provide a better understanding of Driving Licences in Namibia as well as the requirements. The information is provided in good faith and should not be substituted for a professional legal opinion and does not constitute legal advice.
Contents of This Page
- 1 Important Words
- 2 What Drivers Licence Codes Exist in Namibia?
- 3 Code A Drivers Licence
- 4 Code B Drivers Licence
- 5 Code C Driver’s Licence
- 6 Code 10 Drivers licence
- 7 When Do You Need Professional Authorisation (PA / PDP)?
- 8 What are Learners Licence Codes?
- 9 What Licence Do You Need for Cranes, Tractors and Forklifts?
- 10 Namibian Learners and Driving Licences
- 11 What is an Unabridged Drivers Licence?
A drivers licence is important in Namibia: many jobs require one. In addition, long traveling distances between spaced out towns and cities as well as a lack of public transport make getting around rather difficult.
But a Namibian drivers licence, upon closer inspection, can be quite confusing. What code drivers licence is needed for which vehicles? What code drivers licence should you get for day-to-day driving? What about learners licences? Do they have different codes?
With all this in mind, I’ve broken down the most important information for you. Read on below to find answers to your questions!

Important Words
Tare is the weight used to determine the license fees of a vehicle. Also known as the curb weight, it gives the weight of the unloaded, empty vehicle (including permanent fixtures but excluding fuel).
GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) is the maximum total mass a vehicle was designed to operate with when loaded.
What Drivers Licence Codes Exist in Namibia?
Namibia has only three basic drivers licence codes:
- Code A
- Code B
- Code C
Each code can be amended by a suffix of 1 or E. The number 1 after the code letter indicates a size restriction of the vehicle type, while the letter E shows that a combination vehicle can be operated.
A combination vehicle is the vehicle relevant to the code letter plus a trailer with a GVM of more than 750 kg.
Code A Drivers Licence
The Namibian code A licence is for motorcycles. The variation A1 limits you to operating a motorcycle with an engine capacity of not more than 125 cc.
Motorcycles are excluded from all other codes.
Code B Drivers Licence
Essentially, the Namibian code B drivers licence allows you to operate a motor vehicle with a tare weight not exceeding 3,500 kg. This can be done with or without a trailer if said trailer’s GVM is equal to or less than 750 kg. We have full details of the Code B drivers licence here.
Only a code BE licence allows vehicles under 3,500 kg tare weight to be operated with a trailer that has a GVM of over 750 kg.
Code C Driver’s Licence
The Namibian code C drivers licence is also known as a heavy vehicle licence. It has a few variations depending on which weight and combination of vehicles will be operated. The licence is issued according to the vehicle used during the driving test. We have full details of the Code C licence here.
C1 Drivers Licence
A code C1 drivers licence in Namibia allows you to drive a vehicle with a tare weight greater than 3,500kg but less than 16,000 kg. A trailer may be attached as long as its GVM is equal to or less than 750 kg.
C1E Driving Licence
A code C1E license allows you to operate a C1 vehicle plus a trailer with a GVM above 750 kg.
CE Drivers License
A code CE driving licence, finally, means you can operate a C vehicle plus a trailer with a GVM of over 750 kg. This is the highest code licence you can obtain in Namibia.
Code 10 Drivers licence
Anybody looking for details regarding Code 10 drivers licence should go to this page.
When Do You Need Professional Authorisation (PA / PDP)?
A Professional Authorisation – indicated by the letters PA on your license – is required by anyone transporting passengers or goods for reward. This kind of endorsement was previously known as a Public Driving Permit (shown by the letters PDP).
Additionally, a PA must be obtained for a code C licence, even if you only want that licence for recreational purposes (such as a large motorhome).
How Do You Get a PA in Namibia? (AKA PDP Licence)
There are three categories for Professional Authorisation:
- Goods (G)
- Passengers (P)
- Dangerous Goods (D)
To apply for a Professional Authorisation (PA) for Passengers and/or Dangerous Goods, you must be at least 25 years old. Dangerous Goods additionally require proof that you completed an approved training course for the transport of dangerous goods.
To apply for a PA, you need to submit a medical certificate. This certificate must be completed by a doctor and filled out on the approved NaTIS form, which you can get from your local NaTIS office, contact details here.
Additionally, you will need a certificate of conduct from the Namibian Police (also called a code of conduct). Fill out the Application for Professional Authorisation (available from NaTIS offices) and submit it with the documentation discussed above.
The application itself is conducted as drivers licence renewal, which means that you will have to pay N$110 for the PA application plus N$200 for the issuance of a new drivers licence card.
The PA is valid for two years only and must be renewed in time, otherwise it lapses.
What are Learners Licence Codes?
There are three learners licence codes in Namibia: 1, 2 and 3.
Code 1 learners licences are for motorcycles. At age 16, you can already get a code 1 learners licence – but it will only allow you to operate motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to, and including, 125 cc. The same code 1 obtained at age 17 will let you ride motorcycles with an engine capacity of above 125 cc.
Motorcycles are excluded from all other learner licences.
The code 1 learners licence allows you to test for a code A drivers licence.
Code 2 learners licences are for motor vehicles with a tare weight not exceeding 3,500 kg. You may practice driving with a trailer of any size. You can apply for a code 2 learners license at the age of 17.
The code 2 learners licence allows you to test for a code B drivers licence. Note that in order to operate combination vehicles in this class, you must do the code B drivers licence test with a trailer that has a GVM exceeding 750 kg (giving you a BE drivers licence).
A code BE drivers licence is useful if you plan on moving smaller loads, like horse boxes or small boats.
A Code 3 learners licence let you practice operating motor vehicles with a tare weight of over 3,500 kg, as well as combination vehicles of this class (with any size trailer). You can apply for a code 3 learners licence at age 18. You do not need a Professional Authorisation (PA) for a code 3 leaners licence.
As with a code 2 learners licence, the final driving test needs to be done with a vehicle matching the specifications of the end licence you want. For example, if you have a code 3 learners licence and use a vehicle with a tare weight of under 16,000 kg for the drivers test, you will only be issued with a code C1 drivers licence.
Similarly, if you use a vehicle with a tare weight of over 16,000 kg and attach a trailer of over 750 kg GVM for the test, you will get a code CE drivers licence (the highest code in Namibia).
You can find your local NATIS business hours here.
What Licence Do You Need for Cranes, Tractors and Forklifts?
Many times we get asked whether a special licence is needed to drive a mobile crane, tractor or forklift. For the safe operation and specific uses of these, an appropriate training course is necessary, as they require special skills.
However, if these vehicles are appropriately licensed, anyone with a code B drivers licence can drive them on a public road, regardless of tare weight.
That’s because the Road Traffic and Transport Regulations of 2001 (§ 110, table 2) authorise a code B drivers licence as follows:
“Code B, a tractor or other motor vehicle being mobile, agricultural or industrial equipment or machinery not designed principally for the conveyance of persons or goods, with or without a trailer.”
Therefore, vehicles “not designed principally” to transport people or things – such as cranes, tractors, forklifts or cherry pickers – can be operated on a public road with a code B drivers licence.
Below is a reproduction of table 2 from § 110 of the Namibian Road Traffic and Transport Regulations, 2001.
CODE | CLASS OF MOTOR VEHICLE | AUTHORISATION |
A1 | A motorcycle with an engine cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cubic centimetres, or propelled by electrical power, but excluding – (i) a pedestrian-controlled vehicle propelled by electrical power derived from storage batteries; or (ii) a vehicle with a tare not exceeding 230 kg specially designed and constructed, and not merely adapted, for use by a person suffering from a physical defect or disability or a person of old age and used solely by that person. | Code A1 |
A | A motorcycle with an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 125 cubic centimetres. | Codes A and A1 |
B | A motor vehicle, being – (i) a motor car, the tare of which does not exceed 3 500 kg; or (ii) a minibus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kg; without a trailer, or with a trailer the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 750kg, but excluding an articulated motor vehicle. | Code B, a tractor or other motor vehicle being mobile agricultural or industrial equipment or machinery not designed principally for the conveyance of persons or goods, with or without a trailer |
BE | A motor vehicle, excluding a tractor, being – (i) an articulated motor vehicle, of which the gross combination mass of the truck-tractor does not exceed 3 500 kg; (ii) a combination of – (aa) a motor car the tare of which does not exceed 3 500 kg; or (bb) a minibus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kg, with a trailer, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 750 kilograms. | Codes B and BE |
C1 | A motor vehicle, being – (i) a motor car, the tare of which exceeds 3 500 kg but not 16 000 kg; (ii) a minibus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 3 500 kg but not 16 000 kg, without a trailer, or with a trailer the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 750 kg, but excluding an articulated motor vehicle. | Codes C1 and B |
C | A motor vehicle, being a bus or a goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 16 000 kg without a trailer, or with a trailer the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 750 kilograms, but excluding an articulated motor vehicle. | Codes B, C and C1 |
C1E | A motor vehicle, excluding a tractor, being – (i) an articulated motor vehicle, of which the gross combination mass of the truck-tractor exceeds 3 500 kg but not 16 000 kg; (ii) a combination of a motor vehicle and trailer, the gross vehicle mass of the trailer of which exceeds 750 kg, but the gross combination mass of the drawing vehicle of which does not exceed 16 000 kg. | Codes B, C1, BE and C1E |
CE | A motor vehicle being – (i) an articulated motor vehicle of which the gross combined mass of the truck-tractor exceeds 16 000 kg; (ii) a combination of a bus or goods vehicle, the gross combination mass of which exceeds 16 000 kg, with a trailer the gross vehicle mass which exceeds 750 kg. | Codes B, C1, C, BE, C1E and CE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Namibian Learners and Driving Licences
- How long is a Namibian learners licence valid for?
A Namibian learners licence is valid for a period of 18 months from the date of issue. - How long is a Namibian drivers licence valid for?
A Namibian drivers licence is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of issue. - How long is a Professional Authorisation (PA/PDP) valid for?
A Professional Authorisation is valid for 2 years. So although your drivers licence may be valid for longer, once your PA lapses after 2 years, you are legally not allowed to drive vehicles with a tare weight of above 3,500 kg or transport goods/passengers for reward. - What do I need to renew my drivers licence?
- An acceptable identification document, normally a certified copy of a Namibian ID or copy of a traffic registration number certificate.
- The prescribed fee: N$200 (issue of driving licence card for any code of licence)
- For a Professional Authorisation application, an additional fee of N$110
- The completed application form from NaTIS: Application For Driving Licence (Regulation 116) – form code DL1
What is an Unabridged Drivers Licence?
In the context of a driving licence, “unabridged” would imply that the licence is a full, unrestricted licence. This means that the holder has met all the necessary requirements and passed all the tests to drive a vehicle. Unlike a provisional or restricted licence, an unabridged licence grants the holder full driving privileges.