Converting your South African driver's licence to a foreign licence? Most countries require an official confirmation letter from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) verifying your driving history. We obtain this letter and apostille it for international use.📞 087 001 0733 | ✉️ info@apostille.co.za
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A Driver's Licence Confirmation Letter (also called a Verification Certificate) is an official document issued by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) that confirms:
The National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) verifies this information before the RTMC issues the letter.
Converting Your SA Licence AbroadMost countries require official verification of your South African licence before they'll issue you a local licence. The confirmation letter proves your licence is valid and shows your full driving history.Proving Driving ExperienceYour SA licence card only shows when the card was issued—not when you first qualified as a driver. This matters because:
Car Rental Overseas
Some rental companies require verification that your licence is genuine, especially for longer rentals or larger vehicles.
International Driving Permit Applications
The Automobile Association (AA) may require verification when issuing an International Driving Permit.
Immigration & Visa Applications
Some countries request proof of driving qualifications as part of skilled worker or residency applications.
Your South African driver's licence card presents a problem for international use:
| What the Card Shows | What Foreign Authorities Need |
|---|---|
| Date card was issued | Date you first qualified |
| Current expiry date | Full driving history |
| Licence code | Explanation of what the code means |
| Your photo and details | Official government verification |
Example: You passed your driver's test in 2005 but renewed your card in 2022. Your card shows "2022"—making it look like you have only 3 years' experience instead of 20. The RTMC Confirmation Letter solves this by showing your original qualification date.
The RTMC Confirmation Letter includes:
This comprehensive information allows foreign authorities to accurately assess your driving qualifications and experience.
We submit your application to the Road Traffic Management Corporation:
RTMC issues the Confirmation Letter once verification is complete.
The letter is submitted to DIRCO for apostille (Hague countries) or authentication (non-Hague countries).
For non-Hague countries, the letter proceeds to the relevant embassy.
RTMC Application
↓
Confirmation Letter Issued
↓
DIRCO Apostille/Authentication
↓
Embassy Attestation (non-Hague only)
↓
Ready for use✅ South African ID document – Clear PDF scan✅ Current driver's licence card – Front and back scan✅ Completed RTMC application form – We can provide this✅ Destination country – So we know which legalisation route to followIf your licence card has expired:We can still obtain the confirmation letter, but you may want to renew your card as well. Contact us to discuss.
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| RTMC processing | 2-4 weeks |
| DIRCO Apostille | Contact us for current times |
| Embassy Attestation | 3-14 days (varies) |
Total time:
RTMC processing times vary based on their current workload.Important: Start the process well before you need the document. Don't wait until you've already relocated.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| RTMC letter only (no apostille) | R1,800 |
| RTMC letter + DIRCO Apostille | R2,650 |
| RTMC letter + DIRCO + Embassy | From R3,500 |
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| DIRCO Apostille only | R850 |
| DIRCO + Embassy attestation | From R1,700 |
Courier fees are additional if required.[Get a Quote →]
Your Licence Never Expires—But Your Card Does
Your South African driving qualification is permanent. However, your licence card expires every 5 years and must be renewed. An expired card may cause issues abroad, even with a valid confirmation letter.
Some Countries Won't Convert SA Licences
A few countries (e.g., Spain) don't recognise South African licences for conversion regardless of documentation. You may need to retake their driving test. Check the specific rules for your destination country.
Get the Letter Before You Leave
Applying from overseas is much harder. Obtain your confirmation letter while you're still in South Africa, even if you don't need it immediately.
Licence Codes Explained
Foreign authorities often don't understand SA licence codes. The confirmation letter includes explanations (e.g., "Code EB permits driving of motor vehicles with GVM not exceeding 3,500kg").
How long is the confirmation letter valid?
The letter itself doesn't expire, but some foreign authorities may require it to be recently issued (within 3-6 months). Check your destination's requirements.
Can I apply if I'm already overseas?
Yes, but it's more complicated. We can process the application on your behalf—you'll need to provide scans of your documents and may need to arrange for the physical letter to be couriered to you.
What if my licence card has expired?
We can still obtain the confirmation letter. Your driving qualification remains valid even if the card has expired. However, you may want to renew your card as well.
Do I need this letter to rent a car abroad?
Not always, but it helps—especially for longer rentals or if the rental company questions your SA licence. An International Driving Permit from the AA is usually sufficient for short-term rentals.
Can you help with International Driving Permits?
The AA issues International Driving Permits. We can obtain the RTMC confirmation letter, which you may need for the IDP application.
What's the difference between this and an International Driving Permit?
The RTMC Confirmation Letter verifies your SA licence for conversion to a foreign licence. An International Driving Permit is a temporary document for visitors driving abroad—it doesn't replace your SA licence.
Is the confirmation letter the same as a "letter of good standing"?
Essentially, yes—different countries use different terminology, but they're asking for the same RTMC verification.
Planning to convert your SA licence abroad? Get your RTMC confirmation letter and apostille sorted before you relocate.[Get a Quote →]Contact us:
Important Notice: Apostille.co.za is operated by Document Legalisation Services (Pty) Ltd, a private document facilitation company. We are not the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Department of Transport, DIRCO, or any government department. We facilitate document procurement and legalisation services for a fee. Processing times depend on RTMC workload and may vary.
Office 5, Second Floor, Northern Pavilion, Loftus Versveld Stadium, 416 Kirkness Street, Arcadia, Pretoria.
Walk-In Service. For complicated matter please call first.
tel:+27870010733
info@apostille.co.za
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