Drivers License Confirmation Letter Application

South African Driving Licence Confirmation Letter

Do you live outside South Africa and need to verify your South African driving licence? We can help you obtain a South African Driving Licence Confirmation Letter from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

The RTMC Driving Licence Confirmation Letter verifies your South African driving licence records. You may need this document when you apply to convert or exchange your South African driving licence in another country.

We assist South African citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals who need driving licence verification while living abroad.

The application requirements depend on your status in South Africa. Choose the relevant section below to find out which documents you need and how to apply.

South African Citizens and Permanent Residents

South African citizens and permanent residents must provide the required identification and driving licence documents before we prepare the RTMC application.

Required Documents

Please provide:

A clear copy of your South African driving licence; and
A clear copy of your South African Identity Document (ID).

We may request additional documents if the RTMC requires further information.

How to Apply

1. Send your documents

Email a clear copy of your South African driving licence and ID to [email protected].

2. We prepare your application

After we receive your documents, we review the information and complete the relevant RTMC application form on your behalf.

3. We send the form to you

Once we complete the form, we send it to you for review and signature.

4. Provide your current details

You must provide:

Your current country of residence;
The city where you will sign the form; and
Your current telephone number in your country of residence.

5. Sign and return the form

Review the information carefully, sign the form and return it to us.

6. We submit your application

After receiving the signed form, we submit your application and supporting documents to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

7. RTMC verifies your licence

The RTMC checks your driving licence records on its system. If the RTMC successfully verifies your records, it issues the Driving Licence Confirmation Letter.

8. Apostille or authentication

If you need to use the confirmation letter abroad, the relevant authority may require an Apostille or authentication. We can assist with the DIRCO authentication or Apostille process where required.

Foreign Nationals Holding South African Driving Licences

Foreign nationals who hold a South African driving licence can also apply for an RTMC Driving Licence Confirmation Letter.

However, foreign applicants must first obtain a Visa Verification Letter from the South African Department of Home Affairs.

Required Documents for Foreign Nationals

Please provide clear copies of:

Your passport identification page;
Your South African visa or permit page;
Your Department of Home Affairs Visa Verification Letter;
Your South African driving licence; or
Your Traffic Register Number (TRN), where applicable.

We may request additional supporting documents if the RTMC requires them.

How Foreign Nationals Apply

1. Obtain your Visa Verification Letter

First, obtain the required Visa Verification Letter from the Department of Home Affairs.

2. Send your documents

Email your passport, visa or permit, Visa Verification Letter and South African driving licence or TRN to [email protected].

3. We prepare your RTMC form

After reviewing your documents, we complete the relevant RTMC application form.

4. We send the form for signature

We send the completed form to you so that you can review and sign it.

5. Provide your current residence details

You must provide your:

Country of residence;
City where you will sign the form; and
Current telephone number.

6. Sign and return the form

Review the form, sign it and return it to us.

7. We submit your application

We submit the signed application and supporting documents to the RTMC.

8. RTMC verifies your driving licence

The RTMC checks your driving licence records and issues the Driving Licence Confirmation Letter once it completes the verification.

9. We arrange Apostille or authentication

Finally, if required, we can assist with DIRCO authentication or Apostille certification for use in your country of residence.

Visa Verification for Foreign Applicants

Foreign nationals must obtain a Visa Verification Letter before the RTMC can process their Driving Licence Confirmation Letter application.

The correct Department of Home Affairs email address depends on the type of visa or permit you hold.

Department of Home Affairs Verification Contacts

Visas issued at Head Office or Section 11(6) / 19(2): [email protected]
Asylum Seeker Temporary Visa: [email protected]
Permanent Residence Permit: [email protected]
Visas issued abroad or at a South African mission: [email protected]

Please obtain your Visa Verification Letter before submitting your RTMC application to us.

Information We Need From You

We need accurate information about your current location to complete the RTMC application correctly.

Please provide:

Country where you currently live
City where you will sign the form
Telephone number you currently use in that country

We use these details when preparing your application form. You must check the completed form carefully before signing it.

What Is an RTMC Driving Licence Confirmation Letter?

The RTMC Driving Licence Confirmation Letter confirms information recorded against your South African driving licence.

You may need the letter when a foreign driving authority asks for additional proof of your South African driving licence history or validity.

For example, a licensing authority may request the letter when you apply to exchange or convert your South African driving licence.

However, requirements differ between countries. Therefore, always check with the relevant driving authority before applying.

Important: A Driving Licence Confirmation Letter is not a driving licence. You cannot use it as a replacement for a valid driving licence or present it to law-enforcement authorities as a driving licence.

Processing Time

The RTMC normally takes approximately 3–4 weeks to process a Driving Licence Confirmation Letter application.

This period excludes weekends and South African public holidays.

If you require an Apostille or authentication, you should allow additional time.

Additional Apostille Processing

Expedited Apostille: approximately 1 additional week
Standard Apostille: approximately 2 additional weeks

We will include the applicable Apostille or authentication fees in your quotation.

Start Your Application

Ready to apply for your South African Driving Licence Confirmation Letter?

Email your supporting documents to:

[email protected]

Please include all documents required for your applicant category. Also provide your current country of residence, city of signing and telephone number.

Once we receive your documents, we will review them and prepare the relevant RTMC application form for your signature.

Country	Requirements
Russia	Holders of a South African (SA) driver’s licence can utilize it for a duration of up to 6 months, provided it is accompanied by an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) translation. Beyond the 6-month period, conversion to a Russian driver’s licence is necessary, which involves passing a theory test available only in Russian.
Germany	In Germany, the SA driver’s licence is valid for 6 months. Post this period, conversion to a German driver’s licence requires submission of a Driver’s Licence Confirmation Letter issued from South Africa.
United Kingdom	South African licence holders may operate vehicles in the UK for a maximum of 12 months. To convert the licence, it is necessary to submit a Driver’s Licence Confirmation Letter alongside the completion of the D1 application form.
France	The SA licence remains valid for 12 months in France. To facilitate conversion to a French driver’s licence, applicants must present a Driver’s Licence Confirmation Letter.
Poland	In Poland, the SA driver’s licence is valid for the first 6 months. To convert it into a Polish licence, a Driver’s Licence Confirmation Letter from South Africa must be submitted.
Hungary	Due to both South Africa and Hungary being signatories to the 1967 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, South African licence holders may legally drive with a notarised copy of their licence.
Greece	In Greece, the SA licence is valid for a period of 6 months. To convert to a Greek licence, applicants must submit a Driver’s Licence Confirmation Letter.
Sweden	The SA driver’s licence can be used legally in Sweden, but it is imperative that the licence is renewed prior to its expiration. If renewal occurs post-expiration, it will result in automatic issuance of a Swedish driver’s licence.
Portugal	In Portugal, the SA driver’s licence is usable for up to 6 months before conversion is necessitated. A Driver’s Licence Confirmation Letter is required for this process.
Bulgaria	The SA driver’s licence holds validity for 6 months in Bulgaria. Following this period, it must be exchanged for a local driver’s licence, which involves submitting a Driver’s Licence Confirmation Letter. After the exchange, the original SA licence will be returned to South Africa.
Finland	As both South Africa and Finland are parties to the Vienna Road Traffic Convention, South African (SA) driver’s licenses are valid for use in Finland for up to two years. Post this period, holders are required to convert their license to an A1, A2, or B-class driving license without undergoing a practical or theoretical retest.
Slovakia	South African driver’s licenses are not recognized in Slovakia. Upon arrival, drivers must exchange their SA license for a local Slovak license. This requires submission of a Driver’s License Confirmation Letter originating from South Africa.
Croatia	In Croatia, a South African driver’s license is valid for a maximum of 12 months. To exchange it for a Croatian license, applicants must provide a Driver’s License Confirmation Letter, identification proof, proof of residence in Croatia, a certified translation of the confirmation letter, a medical certificate (not older than six months) verifying fitness to drive, recent passport-sized photographs, and proof of payment for the processing fee.
Estonia	South African driver’s licenses can be used in Estonia for up to 185 days before conversion to an Estonian license is mandated. If the SA driver’s license has expired prior to obtaining permanent residency, the holder is required to pass both a theoretical and a practical driving test to receive a new Estonian license.
Montenegro	In Montenegro, a South African driver’s license is valid for driving for six months. After that period, license conversion to a Montenegrin equivalent is required. This process also necessitates the presentation of a Driver’s License Confirmation Letter alongside a medical certificate attesting to the individual’s fitness to drive.
Luxembourg	South African driver’s licenses are valid for use in Luxembourg for up to three months. To initiate an exchange for a Luxembourgish license, the applicant must submit a recent medical certificate (not older than three months), a police clearance certificate, a certified copy of the SA driver’s license, proof of residency, a passport-sized photo, a completed license application form, a tax stamp from the licensing office, and the Driver’s License Confirmation Letter.
Andorra	In Andorra, South African drivers may utilize their licenses for up to six months. For conversion to an Andorran license, a letter from South African authorities detailing the permissible vehicle categories under the existing license, along with the Driver’s License Confirmation Letter, must be submitted.
Monaco	Within Monaco, which adheres to the Vienna Road Traffic Convention, South African licenses can be used for one year. After this grace period, conversion to a local license is necessary, requiring submission of a Driver’s License Confirmation Letter together with a completed application form.
San Marino	Drivers can operate in San Marino with their South African license and an International Driver’s Permit for a period of three months. After this period, conversion to a local license is required, facilitated by providing a Driver’s License Confirmation Letter.
United States (New York)	New York acknowledges valid foreign driver’s licenses for non-residents, exempting them from obtaining a New York State license. However, non-U.S. residents with licenses from countries outside of Canada must undertake a written examination, complete a five-hour pre-licensing course, and pass a road test to qualify for a New York license. Although foreign licenses remain valid for driving, they do not waive the requirements for new drivers. Upon issuance of a New York license, drivers must surrender their foreign license, which will be retained and subsequently destroyed by the DMV within 60 days. For return to their home country, drivers may request the return of their surrendered foreign license. Note that an International Driving Permit in New York serves merely to validate the underlying foreign driver’s license, not for driving privileges. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation does not issue “Letters of Entitlement” for exchanging South African licenses; this function lies solely with the Department of Transportation’s Road Traffic Management Corporation.
Canada	In Canada, a South African driver’s license remains valid for up to six months. After this duration, conversion to a Canadian license is necessary. This process typically involves exchanging the SA license for a Canadian one, contingent upon meeting local requirements. At licensing offices, individuals must complete a driving knowledge test and an eye exam. Successfully passing these assessments allows them to proceed to the road test. It’s crucial to note that licensing requirements can vary significantly between different territories, necessitating direct inquiries with the relevant Driver Licensing Offices for the most current guidance.
Australia	For South African residents in Australia, an overseas driver’s license must be converted to a South Australian driver’s license or permit within three months of gaining permanent residency. The conversion process varies by state or territory, each maintaining its own licensing authority and specific regulations regarding foreign license transitions. It’s advisable for individuals to review the requirements specific to their state or territory of residence.