Applying for a public operating licence
A public operating licence is a permit or document giving drivers permission to transport people for financial gain.
If you want to apply for a public operating licence to begin transporting people, the Western Cape Mobility Department will be able to assist you.
Any person that transports passengers must obtain a public operating licence, this applies to taxi drivers, bus drivers or any driver who’s transporting people for payment.
Apply online
The Western Cape Government Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) has extended its digital footprint to allow for alternatives to process an application for public transport operating licences.
View e-ServiceThe Western Cape Government Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) has extended its digital footprint to allow for alternatives to process an application for public transport operating licences.
You can apply by:
- visiting one of the public operating licences offices,
- applying online: https://live.online.ptrswesterncape.org/#/sign-up, or
- emailing applications to DTPW.preapplications@westerncape.gov.za
Send PRE enquiries to enquiries.wcpre@westerncape.gov.za.
Watch the video below on how to register on the Public Transport Regulation System (PTRS)
The table below lists the types of application you may be making and clarifies which form should be completed, and which checklist should be adhered to.
In order to electronically submit your application, please download and complete the relevant application form. Please refer to this table to obtain the appropriate form for your application. Please also ensure that you check your supporting documentation against the correct checklist as indicated in the table.
Note: Motorists must verify all personal and address particulars with any motor vehicle or driving licence transaction.
Notice:
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Staff and charter agreements (pdf, 24.11 KB)
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Motivation in support of N-MBT application (scholar, charter and staff) (pdf, 99.01 KB)
New applications
Download Form (1A), Form (1B) (Western Cape only), Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
Download the appropriate checklist
New application any metre type taxi service WC (pdf, 96.58 KB)
New application charter and staff RSA (pdf, 111.11 KB)
New application charter and staff WC (pdf, 110.73 KB)
New application charter and taxi RSA.pdf (pdf, 110.94 KB)
New application charter and taxi WC (pdf, 111.33 KB)
New application charter RSA (pdf, 110.89 KB)
New application charter WC (pdf, 93.95 KB)
New application charter, scholar and staff RSA (pdf, 110.51 KB)
New application charter, scholar and taxi RSA (pdf, 111.16 KB)
New application charter, scholar and taxi WC (pdf, 111.47 KB)
New application scheduled bus RSA (pdf, 94.54 KB)
New application scheduled bus WC (pdf, 94.81 KB)
New application scholar WC (pdf, 93.4 KB)
New application scholar and staff WC (pdf, 93.28 KB)
New application staff WC (pdf, 93.37 KB)
New application taxi RSA (pdf, 93.97 KB)
New application taxi WC (pdf, 94.26 KB)
New application WCED WC (pdf, 94.28 KB)
New application, charter, scholar and staff WC (pdf, 110.88 KB)
New applicaton charter and scholar RSA (pdf, 110.39 KB)
- Print and complete form (1A)
- Follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Transfer of operating licence or permit
Download the Transfer Declaration Form, Form (1A), Form (1B) (Western Cape only), Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
Download the appropriate checklist
Transfer any metre type service (pdf, 111.43 KB)
Transfer charter and scholar RSA (pdf, 110.23 KB)
Transfer charter and scholar WC (pdf, 110.95 KB)
Transfer charter and staff RSA (pdf, 111.67 KB)
Transfer charter and staff WC (pdf, 112.38 KB)
Transfer charter RSA (pdf, 110.2 KB)
Transfer charter WC (pdf, 110.9 KB)
Transfer charter, scholar and staff RSA (pdf, 92.72 KB)
Transfer charter, scholar and staff WC (pdf, 93.5 KB)
Transfer scholar service WC (pdf, 94.39 KB)
Transfer staff WC (pdf, 110.76 KB)
Transfer taxi service RSA (pdf, 111.02 KB)
Transfer taxi service WC (pdf, 111.36 KB)
- Applies to the transfer of an operating licence or permit.
- Print and complete form (1A)
- Follow the instructions below to submit the application.
We can’t accept electronically submitted applications for the transfer of a licence or permit to another individual.
Both parties (current holder and person the permit or licence is being transferred to) need to go into the Public Transport Service Centre (PTSC) so that a Customer Relationship Officer can verify approval of the transfer.
Please download and read the requirements checklist then print and complete form (1A) or form (1B) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Amendment of an operating licence or permit: amendment of route or area
Download Form (1A), Form (1B) (Western Cape only) and Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
Scroll down for additional authority checklists.
- Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: amendment of route or area.
- Please read the requirements checklist.
- Print and complete form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Amendment of an operating licence or permit: change of particulars
Download Form (1A), Form (1B) (Western Cape only) and Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
Scroll down for additional authority checklists.
- Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: amendment of route or area.
- Please read the requirements checklist.
- Print and complete form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Amendment of an operating licence or permit: amendment of timetables, tariffs or other conditions
Download Form (1A), Form (1B) (Western Cape only) and Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
Scroll down for additional authority checklists.
- Applies to operating licence or permit: amendment of timetables, tariffs or other conditions.
- Please read the requirements checklist.
- Print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Amendment of an operating licence or permit: replace existing vehicle
Download Form (1A), Form (1B) (Western Cape only) and Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
- Scroll down for additional authority checklists.
Replacement checklists:
Replacement any metre type service (pdf, 110.38 KB)
Replacement any metre type service (pdf, 110.38 KB)
Replacement charter and scholars RSA (pdf, 88.82 KB)
Replacement charter RSA (pdf, 88.69 KB)
Replacement charter WC (pdf, 89.02 KB)
Replacement charter, staff and scholar RSA (pdf, 110.4 KB)
Replacement charter, staff and scholar WC (pdf, 111.2 KB)
Replacement scholar and staff WC (pdf, 93.32 KB)
Replacement, taxi RSA (pdf, 107.79 KB)
Replacement, taxi WC (pdf, 108.56 KB)
Replacement, taxi, staff, charter and scholar RSA (pdf, 108.05 KB)
Replacement, taxi, staff, charter and scholar WC (pdf, 108.79 KB)
Replacement, taxi, staff, scholar RSA (pdf, 106.45 KB)
- Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: replace existing vehicle.
- Please read the requirements checklist. Then print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Amendment of an operating licence or permit: renewal of an operating licence or permit
Download Form (1A), Form (1B) (Western Cape only) and Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
- Scroll down for additional authority checklists
Renewal checklists
Renewal any metre type taxi service (pdf, 109.65 KB)
Renewal charter and staff WC (pdf, 110.34 KB)
Renewal charter RSA (pdf, 108.23 KB)
Renewal charter WC (pdf, 108.54 KB)
Renewal charter, staff and scholar RSA (pdf, 109.98 KB)
Renewal charter, staff and scholar WC (pdf, 110.28 KB)
Renewal scholar and charter RSA (pdf, 110.24 KB)
Renewal scholar and charter WC (pdf, 93.06 KB)
Renewal scholar and staff WC (pdf, 93.11 KB)
Renewal scholar WC (pdf, 92.72 KB)
Renewal scholar, staff and charter RSA (pdf, 110.31 KB)
Renewal staff WC (pdf, 92.72 KB)
Renewal taxi and charter RSA (pdf, 111.38 KB)
Renewal taxi and charter WC (pdf, 111.22 KB)
Renewal taxi RSA (pdf, 110.2 KB)
Renewal taxi WC (pdf, 110.52 KB)
- Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: renewal of an operating licence or permit.
- Please read the requirements checklist and print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Amendment of an operating licence or permit: conversion of a permit to an operating licence
Download Form (1A), Form (1B) (Western Cape only) and Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
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Applies to amendment of an operating licence or permit: conversion of a permit to an operating licence.
- Please read the requirements checklist, then print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Checklists for amendment applications:
Additional charter RSA (pdf, 94.67 KB)
Additional charter WC (pdf, 95.32 KB)
Additional charter, staff and charter RSA (pdf, 96.25 KB)
Additional charter, staff and scholar WC (pdf, 96.88 KB)
Additional scholar RSA (pdf, 94.49 KB)
Additional scholar WC (pdf, 110.59 KB)
Additional staff RSA (pdf, 94.42 KB)
Additional staff WC (pdf, 95.17 KB)
Additional taxi RSA (pdf, 93.41 KB)
Additional taxi WC (pdf, 92.42 KB)
Application for extension
Download Form (EXT 1) and Form 10
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Applies to application for extension.
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Please read the requirements checklist, then print and complete the form (EXT1) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Application for a duplicate licence permit or decal
Download Form (1D) and Form 10, Form 20, and Form 30 (for charters).
Download Checklist (CHK5)
- Applies to application for a duplicate licence permit or decal.
- Please read the requirements checklist, then print and complete the form (1A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Application for temporary replacement of vehicle
Download Form (2D)
Download Checklist (CHK6)
- Applies to application for temporary replacement of vehicle.
- Please read the requirements checklist, then print and complete the Form (2D) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Application for temporary operating licence (special event)
Download Form (3A)
Download Checklist (CHK7)
- Applies to application for temporary operating licence (special event).
- Please read the requirements checklist.
- Print and complete the form (3A) and follow the instructions below to submit the application.
Instructions: submission of applications
Please note that operating licences for recapitalised vehicles, you’ll need to go into the PTSC as this process hasn’t been automated yet.
Remember that every application needs an affidavit completed. Please complete Form 10, the affidavit.
In order to electronically submit your application, please download and complete the relevant application form. You’ll need to make sure that you’ve got all the relevant supporting documents with you, for your application.
How to submit:
Scan in all the documents relevant to your application (both the form and supporting documents) and email them to DTPW.preapplications@westerncape.gov.za.
Once your application has been received by the staff at the customer relationship office (CRO), it will be verified at the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works to ensure that the application is complete.
You’ll be sent an email to confirm receipt of your application. This letter will also include the PTSC banking details and a unique reference number, which should be used when you make your application payment either through electronic funds transfer (EFT) or through normal banking procedures.
Remember that each application has to be a separate EFT/payment and must include the correct reference number for the application.
What next?
Please email the proof of payment to DTPW.preapplications@westerncape.gov.za
After your proof of payment is received, you’ll be provided with a receipt that will include your application number. Once your payment has been verified, you’ll receive an SMS indicating that your application is being processed.
Once your receipt has been issued, the customer relationship officers at the service centre will begin processing your application.
The processing of an application typically takes up to 60 work days. During this period, you may be requested to submit additional documentation, or be invited to a meeting with board members during the decision-making process. Once a decision has been made regarding your application, you’ll receive a letter stating whether the application has been approved or declined along with supporting information.
You’ll also need to sign an affidavit stating that you haven’t committed a violent or serious offence or been convicted of an offence involving illegal weapons.
Operating licences are valid for a maximum of 5 years.
To qualify for a taxi operating licence, you’ll need to be a member of a fully registered taxi association. Taxi associations are registered with the Provincial Taxi Registrar.
Once you’ve been issued with an operating licence, you’re required to display this licence whenever requested by a traffic officer and must affix a distinguishing mark to your vehicle.
Metered Taxis
Complete and submit the relevant forms.
Email: DTPW.preapplications@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 0270
- New application form
- Definition for metered taxi
- Form 10
- Form 1B (Western Cape only)
- Method of correspondence
- Form 20 impartiality employment
- Certified copy of ID/ Company registration certificate
- Valid Tax Clearance Certificate from SARS
- Indicate vehicle seating capacity
- Proof of address (utility bill/ municipal account)
- Route description as per requirement list
- Labour Law form
- Authorisation letter and certified ID copy of the representative
See the full metered taxi requirement list.
Contact details:
- lizette.wilmot@westerncape.gov.za (loading of applications)
- shantel.radien@westerncape.gov.za (processing and enquiries)
- joan.abrahams@westerncape.gov.za (processing and enquiries)
- feroza.richards@westerncape.gov.za (enquiries)
- colette.kuyler@westerncape.gov.za (processing and enquiries)
- khaya.qamngwana@westerncape.gov.za (enquiries)
The Public Transport Branch can be contacted at the:
Vangate office
Vangate Shared Service Centre
Corner of Bosduif and Volstruis Roads
Bridgetown
Athlone
7764
Fax: 021 483 0201
Email: enquiries.wcpre@westerncape.gov.za
Office hours: 7:30am to 4pm
George office
2nd Floor,
York Park Building,
Cnr St. John Street & York Street
George
6530
Tel: 044 8132901
Email: laura.batt@westerncape.gov.za
Office hours: 7:30am to 4pm
West Coast, Piketberg
Mr Hubert Kirkwood
Tel: 021 483 0228
Email: hubert.kirkwood@westerncape.gov.za
For more information, you may also contact the:
Provincial taxi office
Tel: 021 696 3213/14
Fax: 021 696 3206
Provincial transport registrar's office
Tel: 021 483 0259
Fax: 021 483 0206
General enquiries
If you have any questions, or need assistance to complete your application, a CRO may be contacted at the following number: 021 483 0270 /0216.