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Applying for a public operating licence

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Notice of intention to review operating licence conditions

The Provincial Regulatory Entity (“PRE”) has issued a notice of intent to review and amend the Operating Licence Conditions in terms of the authority conferred upon it, in terms of the National Land Transport Act (“NLTA”).

In terms of Section 57(5) of the NLTA , the entity granting an application for the granting, renewal, amendment or transfer of an operating licence may do so subject to any conditions determined by it, that are not inconsistent with the Act or with relevant provincial laws or transport plans and must do so where such conditions have been stipulated by the planning authority based on its Integrated transport plan. Regulation 22(i) of the National Land Transport Regulations (2009) requires that the conditions so imposed by the entity be specified in the operating licence.

While it is the sole purview of the PRE to impose conditions, we want to encourage, promote and facilitate public and stakeholder consultation and participation in this important process.

View the Municipal Operating Licence Conditions as determined by the Western Cape PRE below:

Municipal Operating License Conditions.pdf (pdf, 478.6 KB)

More information

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.

You can apply by:

Send PRE enquiries to enquiries.wcpre@westerncape.gov.za.

How to register on the Public Transport Regulation System (PTRS)

Acts and Regulations

National Land Transport Act, 2009 (pdf, 2.72 MB)
Transport Appeal Tribunal Act (pdf, 723.41 KB)
National Land Transport Regulations (pdf, 2.38 MB)

Important Notice:

The Government Printers website (GPW) is currently unavailable.

Download the latest Government Gazette

 You can also submit your request for a gazette to Enquiries.WCPRE@westerncape.gov.za or view it at one of the public operating licence offices.

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.

A public operating licence is a permit or document giving drivers permission to transport people for financial gain. 

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

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: additional authority

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 the amendment of an operating licence or permit: additional authority.
  • 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 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).

  • 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

  • Applies to application for extension.

  • 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 Mobility Department 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

See the full metered taxi requirement list.

Contact details:

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.

There is a R300 administration fee that you have to pay when you apply for your application.