Page 43 - Personal Underwriting Mandates & Guidelines - Binder - Version 3

Motor
Code
Class of motor vehicle
Authorisation
EC
A motor vehicle, being:
(i) an articulated motor vehicle of which the gross combination mass of the truck- tractor exceeds 16 000 kilograms;
(ii) a combination of a bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 16 000 kilograms
Includes authorisation to drive any motor vehicle for which a Code B, C1, C, EB or EC1 driving licence is required
Although we can insure drivers with C, C1, EC and AC1 licences, each risk must be underwritten on an individual basis. The rates for C1 licence holders must be loaded if the black box is not used. This licence category does not require of the driver to be proficient or skilled in certain aspects for the effective operation of a motor vehicle, i.e. drivers do not need to parallel-park to obtain their licence.
International/foreign driver’s licence
In terms of South African legislation, an international, commonwealth or neighbouring country driving licence must be converted to a South African licence within a certain time of the driver becoming a permanent resident, otherwise the licence is invalid and the driver will be considered unlicensed. Note that the time to convert changes from time to time, please refer to the Government’s website at www.gov.za for more information.
Card licences
There are two aspects to consider for card licences:
○ Administrative requirements such as the prescribed form being a ’card licence’.
After issue, the licence is valid for an indefinite period unless cancelled or suspended by authorities. In the instance where the driver has been issued with a valid licence but it is not in the required card licence format, he is deemed to fall foul of the administrative requirement.
Where the driver has merely failed to renew a card licence and can through an administrative process successfully renew the licence, then a claim must be entertained.
○ Validity of the driver’s licence
The driver will be unlicensed to drive if his licence is cancelled or suspended by the authorities or if there is no valid proof of a licence in the required format and the driver must re-take the learner’s licence and/or driver’s test. In this case a claim would not be entertained.
Validity of driver’s licence while towing a caravan or trailer
All licences issued prior to the year 2000 were issued with a numerical coding, and 08 licences were automatically converted to EB licences when the card system was introduced, allowing holders to legally tow a caravan. However, most motorists who have taken the test since then have the basic B licence only. To qualify for an EB licence one would have to take one’s learner’s and driver’s tests again. Most drivers in their thirties and older will have automatically been granted an EB licence.
An EB licence allows the driver to tow a caravan or trailer that has a combined gross vehicle mass, or GVM (the combined tare weights of the tow vehicle and caravan), of up to 3500 kg.
42 Personal Underwriting Mandates & Guidelines – Binder – Version 3