Question:
I live in Ermelo and have been told that due to my being 5 months pregnant I won’t be allowed to take my drivers licence test. Is there any truth in this or are each testing stations rules different?
Answer:
There is no legislation that prohibits an individual from acquiring a driving licence on the basis of pregnancy. The National Road Traffic Act however makes provision for the disqualification from obtaining a learner or driving licence under certain conditions, amongst which are:
if he or she is suffering from one of the following diseases or disabilities-
(i) uncontrolled epilepsy;
(ii) sudden attacks of disabling giddiness or fainting due to hypertension or any other cause;
(iii) any form of mental illness to such an extent that it is necessary that he or she be detained, supervised, controlled and treated as a patient in terms of the Mental Health Act, 1973 (Act No. 18 of 1973);
(iv) any condition causing muscular incoordination;
(v) uncontrolled diabetes mellitus;
(vi) defective vision ascertained in accordance with a prescribed standard;
(vii) any other disease or physical defect which is likely to render him or her incapable of effectively driving and controlling a motor vehicle of the class to which such licence relates without endangering the safety of the public: Provided that deafness shall not of itself be deemed to be such a defect;
I think the Registering Authority may be using clause (vii) above as the reason to say that you are not allowed to take the driving licence. In a case as such, whereby the authority is concerned, they have to issue you with form Medical Certificate (MC), to be completed by a medical doctor, in which he/she declares the medical suitability of the applicant to can drive a vehicle.
Hopeful that the response provided assists in answering your question.
Regards,
Clancinah Baloyi
Manager: Business Analysis
Tasima
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