SOUTH AFRICA · K53 · 2026 EDITION
Latest K53 Truck
Code – 2026 Questions & Answers
Heavy-vehicle learner's licence (Code 3) and K53 driving test: Code C1,
C, EC1 and EC
Last updated: October 2026
✓ 63 truck questions: heavy-vehicle controls, rules, PrDP, loads
✓ 142 rules-of-the-road and road-sign questions for every code
✓ Every answer explained, with the regulation or K53 source
✓ Heavy-vehicle controls, air brakes, exhaust brake and pre-trip checks
✓ Speed limits over 9 000 kg, following distance, PrDP basics
✓ K53 heavy-vehicle yard test explained
● ● ●
Version 1.0 · Last updated: October 2026 · Revised every year · Independent study guide
,Before you start
This pack is for learner drivers of trucks and other heavy vehicles: rigid trucks (Code C1/C, often called
Code 10) and articulated trucks (Code EC1/EC, often called Code 14). It contains a plain-English heavy-
vehicle chapter and 205 original practice questions with full answers and explanations.
Important: please read
This is an independent study guide. It is not an official publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed
by the Department of Transport, the RTMC, NaTIS or any driving licence testing centre (DLTC).
Rules and fees can change. Always confirm with your DLTC or online.natis.gov.za. The law always wins if
anything here differs from it.
Nothing in this guide replaces lessons with a qualified, registered instructor.
Always the latest version: free updates. Latest K53 is revised every year.
© 2026. All rights reserved. Licensed for the personal use of the buyer. Please don't copy, resell or share the file. All
questions are original.
The learner's test for heavy vehicles (Code 3)
Section Questions Pass mark
Rules of the road 28 22
Road signs, signals and road markings 28 23
Vehicle controls (basic controls, heavy-vehicle cab) 8 6
Total 64 Pass every section
Source: Government Notice R.93 of 2006 (Government Gazette 28446). The minimum age for a Code 3 (heavy vehicle)
learner's licence is 18 (NRTA s15). Fees vary by province: check your DLTC. In the Western Cape (official, October 2026)
the learner's test fee is R68 plus R33 issue fee, and the heavy-vehicle driving test application is R200 plus R140 card fee.
Latest K53 Truck (Code 10/14) – 2026 Questions & Answers · Last updated Oct 2026 · 2
,PART 1
Trucks and heavy vehicles: Code C1, C, EC1 and
EC
This chapter is for anyone learning to drive a truck or other heavy vehicle: rigid trucks (Code C1 and C,
often called Code 10) and articulated trucks (Code EC1 and EC, often called Code 14). You write the same
64-question learner's test as everyone else. In the official DoT controls material the heavy-vehicle cab
has the same basic controls as a car (mirrors, wipers, steering wheel, indicator, gear lever, hand brake,
clutch, brake, accelerator and horn), so learn those first. The extra heavy-vehicle equipment below
matters for the K53 driving test and for working safely, and there are extra rules that only apply to heavy
vehicles.
Heavy-vehicle licence codes
Code What it covers Min. age Common name
Learner's Code 3 Learner's licence for all heavy motor vehicles (over 3 18 Code 3 learner's
500 kg)
C1 Rigid trucks and buses, GVM 3 500 kg to 16 000 kg 18 Old Code 10
C Rigid trucks and buses, GVM over 16 000 kg 18 Often still called Code
10
EC1 Articulated vehicles (truck-tractor + semi-trailer), up 18 Often grouped with
to 16 000 kg Code 14
EC Heavy articulated vehicles, no mass limit 18 Old Code 14
Source: Western Cape Government 'Learner's licence' page (licence code descriptions); National Road Traffic Act s15 (ages).
Learning in a heavy vehicle
• With a Code 3 learner's licence you may only drive when accompanied by someone licensed for
that vehicle class. If the vehicle needs a PrDP, your supervisor must hold one too (NRTR reg 115(2)
(d)).
• The learner's controls questions (8, pass mark 6) use a heavy-vehicle cab, but they test the same 11
basic controls as for a car. Study the DoT 'Vehicle Components and Controls' manual (free on the
NaTIS website).
Basic controls in the learner's test (heavy vehicle)
No. Control Used to
1 Centre rear-view mirror See what is behind you; check before braking or changing speed
2 Window wiper Keep the windscreen clear in the rain
3 Left and right rear-view mirrors Monitor traffic to the rear and sides
Latest K53 Truck (Code 10/14) – 2026 Questions & Answers · Last updated Oct 2026 · 3
, No. Control Used to
4 Steering wheel Change the direction of the vehicle
5 Indicator switch Show your intention to turn or change direction
6 Gear lever Select a gear
7 Hand (parking) brake Keep a parked vehicle stationary, e.g. on a steep incline
8 Clutch Change gears (with the gear lever); not on automatics
9 Brake Slow down or stop
10 Accelerator Increase or decrease speed
11 Horn Warn other road users to avoid a collision
Source: DoT SA Learner Driver Manual 2012, Section 3 Vehicle Components and Controls, 2.8–2.11. Sharp turn (manual): 1, 3, 4,
6, 8, 9 and 10. Changing direction: 1 + 3 + 5.
Other heavy-vehicle equipment
Item What it does What the sources say
Air pressure gauge(s) Shows the air pressure available for After starting, let the engine idle until the
the brakes instruments show the air pressure is correct
(K53 starting procedure)
Low-pressure warning Warns of incorrect air pressure Required by law (NRTR reg 156(2)). If it comes
(buzzer/light) before it is too low to brake on, stop and park safely as soon as possible
Spring (parking) brakes Hold the vehicle when parked They come on automatically if the air pressure
drops too low (non-SA official CDL manual)
Air tanks Store compressed air for the brakes Pre-trip: check for damage and test for water.
Arrive Alive: drain daily
Exhaust brake / engine brake Slows the vehicle by restricting the Assists the service brake, e.g. on a decline. Its
exhaust (or building pressure in the effect depends on the gear engaged. Not to be
engine) used in a built-up area
Retarder Auxiliary braking device Use an engine brake or retarder and minimise
the foot brake on long downhill gradients
(Arrive Alive)
Service lines and couplings Carry air to the trailer brakes Pre-trip: check for damage and stability, and
(articulated) check for air leaks with the engine idling
Fifth wheel (articulated) Coupling on the truck-tractor Pre-trip: check the fifth-wheel coupling and
safety lock pin
Trailer support (landing) legs Support a semi-trailer Pre-trip: check for stability
Dashboard warning lights Show system faults Check them before starting and again after the
and gauges engine starts
Sources: K53 Practical Driving Test Vol. 2, Heavy Motor Vehicles (DoT, 2005), Modules 1–4, 20 and glossary; NRTR reg 156; Arrive
Alive (trucks & buses checklist, trucks and speed); Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Manual s5.4 for spring brakes (non-SA).
Equipment differs between makes, so learn the controls on your test vehicle.
Latest K53 Truck (Code 10/14) – 2026 Questions & Answers · Last updated Oct 2026 · 4
Latest K53 Truck
Code – 2026 Questions & Answers
Heavy-vehicle learner's licence (Code 3) and K53 driving test: Code C1,
C, EC1 and EC
Last updated: October 2026
✓ 63 truck questions: heavy-vehicle controls, rules, PrDP, loads
✓ 142 rules-of-the-road and road-sign questions for every code
✓ Every answer explained, with the regulation or K53 source
✓ Heavy-vehicle controls, air brakes, exhaust brake and pre-trip checks
✓ Speed limits over 9 000 kg, following distance, PrDP basics
✓ K53 heavy-vehicle yard test explained
● ● ●
Version 1.0 · Last updated: October 2026 · Revised every year · Independent study guide
,Before you start
This pack is for learner drivers of trucks and other heavy vehicles: rigid trucks (Code C1/C, often called
Code 10) and articulated trucks (Code EC1/EC, often called Code 14). It contains a plain-English heavy-
vehicle chapter and 205 original practice questions with full answers and explanations.
Important: please read
This is an independent study guide. It is not an official publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed
by the Department of Transport, the RTMC, NaTIS or any driving licence testing centre (DLTC).
Rules and fees can change. Always confirm with your DLTC or online.natis.gov.za. The law always wins if
anything here differs from it.
Nothing in this guide replaces lessons with a qualified, registered instructor.
Always the latest version: free updates. Latest K53 is revised every year.
© 2026. All rights reserved. Licensed for the personal use of the buyer. Please don't copy, resell or share the file. All
questions are original.
The learner's test for heavy vehicles (Code 3)
Section Questions Pass mark
Rules of the road 28 22
Road signs, signals and road markings 28 23
Vehicle controls (basic controls, heavy-vehicle cab) 8 6
Total 64 Pass every section
Source: Government Notice R.93 of 2006 (Government Gazette 28446). The minimum age for a Code 3 (heavy vehicle)
learner's licence is 18 (NRTA s15). Fees vary by province: check your DLTC. In the Western Cape (official, October 2026)
the learner's test fee is R68 plus R33 issue fee, and the heavy-vehicle driving test application is R200 plus R140 card fee.
Latest K53 Truck (Code 10/14) – 2026 Questions & Answers · Last updated Oct 2026 · 2
,PART 1
Trucks and heavy vehicles: Code C1, C, EC1 and
EC
This chapter is for anyone learning to drive a truck or other heavy vehicle: rigid trucks (Code C1 and C,
often called Code 10) and articulated trucks (Code EC1 and EC, often called Code 14). You write the same
64-question learner's test as everyone else. In the official DoT controls material the heavy-vehicle cab
has the same basic controls as a car (mirrors, wipers, steering wheel, indicator, gear lever, hand brake,
clutch, brake, accelerator and horn), so learn those first. The extra heavy-vehicle equipment below
matters for the K53 driving test and for working safely, and there are extra rules that only apply to heavy
vehicles.
Heavy-vehicle licence codes
Code What it covers Min. age Common name
Learner's Code 3 Learner's licence for all heavy motor vehicles (over 3 18 Code 3 learner's
500 kg)
C1 Rigid trucks and buses, GVM 3 500 kg to 16 000 kg 18 Old Code 10
C Rigid trucks and buses, GVM over 16 000 kg 18 Often still called Code
10
EC1 Articulated vehicles (truck-tractor + semi-trailer), up 18 Often grouped with
to 16 000 kg Code 14
EC Heavy articulated vehicles, no mass limit 18 Old Code 14
Source: Western Cape Government 'Learner's licence' page (licence code descriptions); National Road Traffic Act s15 (ages).
Learning in a heavy vehicle
• With a Code 3 learner's licence you may only drive when accompanied by someone licensed for
that vehicle class. If the vehicle needs a PrDP, your supervisor must hold one too (NRTR reg 115(2)
(d)).
• The learner's controls questions (8, pass mark 6) use a heavy-vehicle cab, but they test the same 11
basic controls as for a car. Study the DoT 'Vehicle Components and Controls' manual (free on the
NaTIS website).
Basic controls in the learner's test (heavy vehicle)
No. Control Used to
1 Centre rear-view mirror See what is behind you; check before braking or changing speed
2 Window wiper Keep the windscreen clear in the rain
3 Left and right rear-view mirrors Monitor traffic to the rear and sides
Latest K53 Truck (Code 10/14) – 2026 Questions & Answers · Last updated Oct 2026 · 3
, No. Control Used to
4 Steering wheel Change the direction of the vehicle
5 Indicator switch Show your intention to turn or change direction
6 Gear lever Select a gear
7 Hand (parking) brake Keep a parked vehicle stationary, e.g. on a steep incline
8 Clutch Change gears (with the gear lever); not on automatics
9 Brake Slow down or stop
10 Accelerator Increase or decrease speed
11 Horn Warn other road users to avoid a collision
Source: DoT SA Learner Driver Manual 2012, Section 3 Vehicle Components and Controls, 2.8–2.11. Sharp turn (manual): 1, 3, 4,
6, 8, 9 and 10. Changing direction: 1 + 3 + 5.
Other heavy-vehicle equipment
Item What it does What the sources say
Air pressure gauge(s) Shows the air pressure available for After starting, let the engine idle until the
the brakes instruments show the air pressure is correct
(K53 starting procedure)
Low-pressure warning Warns of incorrect air pressure Required by law (NRTR reg 156(2)). If it comes
(buzzer/light) before it is too low to brake on, stop and park safely as soon as possible
Spring (parking) brakes Hold the vehicle when parked They come on automatically if the air pressure
drops too low (non-SA official CDL manual)
Air tanks Store compressed air for the brakes Pre-trip: check for damage and test for water.
Arrive Alive: drain daily
Exhaust brake / engine brake Slows the vehicle by restricting the Assists the service brake, e.g. on a decline. Its
exhaust (or building pressure in the effect depends on the gear engaged. Not to be
engine) used in a built-up area
Retarder Auxiliary braking device Use an engine brake or retarder and minimise
the foot brake on long downhill gradients
(Arrive Alive)
Service lines and couplings Carry air to the trailer brakes Pre-trip: check for damage and stability, and
(articulated) check for air leaks with the engine idling
Fifth wheel (articulated) Coupling on the truck-tractor Pre-trip: check the fifth-wheel coupling and
safety lock pin
Trailer support (landing) legs Support a semi-trailer Pre-trip: check for stability
Dashboard warning lights Show system faults Check them before starting and again after the
and gauges engine starts
Sources: K53 Practical Driving Test Vol. 2, Heavy Motor Vehicles (DoT, 2005), Modules 1–4, 20 and glossary; NRTR reg 156; Arrive
Alive (trucks & buses checklist, trucks and speed); Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Manual s5.4 for spring brakes (non-SA).
Equipment differs between makes, so learn the controls on your test vehicle.
Latest K53 Truck (Code 10/14) – 2026 Questions & Answers · Last updated Oct 2026 · 4
