Traffic Registration Number South Africa

A traffic registration number (TRN) is a document that is required by a foreigner in South Africa for vehicle-related transactions e.g. buying or registering a motor vehicle. Additionally, as a foreigner, if you need to drive or take the South African drivers licence you will need this document.

I am documenting this because I bought a car at a dealership on Friday the 9^th of February 2018 and the dealership required this document to do a change of ownership and register the car in my name so I needed it. Also, someone close to me tried to dupe me and make me pay R700 to get the document done by one of his contacts. It didn’t make sense to me because 1. I was not in a hurry to get the document, and 2. Doing it myself would not cost me R700, but, I digress.

You can apply for this document at any Driving Licence Testing Center (DLTC), but it is usually advisable to go to the one that covers the area in which you stay. So if you stay in Midrand, you have better chances of not being turned back if you go to the Midrand Licencing Department.

Requirements for getting a Traffic Registration Number

The main requirement for obtaining the traffic registration number is proof that you are in South Africa legally and this is usually in the form of a valid and stamped passport.

The other general requirements are:

• Certified copy of Passport.
• Certified copy of a valid VISA (must be valid for at-least 6 months).
• Proof of residence – this can be your lease agreement,  utility bill or department account statement in your name.
• 2 x ID Photos – mine were black and white passport photos.

There are additional requirements that depend on the kind of permit you have, and I have listed them below.

Additional requirements for a Professional

If you are a professional on a WORK Permit or VISA, one of the following additional requirements is required:

1. Confirmation of employment letter on your company’s letterhead. This letter has to be addressed to the Traffic Licencing Department, signed and with a date not later than a month before.
2. Recent payslip and bank statement. This is required so that you show that you are paying Tax.
3. If you are self employed, you need to bring valid, up to date South African Revenue Services (SARS) documents. Together with the SARS documents you also need to bring your company registration documents.

Additional requirements for a Student

If you are a student on a STUDY Permit or VISA, one of the following additional requirements is required:

1. Your school registration paper with the subjects.
2. Confirmation of enrollment from your school. This has to be on the school’s or university’s letterhead and addressed to the Traffic Licence Department, signed and with and a date not later than a month before.

Additional requirements for a Spouse

If you are on a SPOUSE, PARENT OR COMPANY Permit or VISA, you will need all of the following documentation:

1. Certified Spouse ID.
2. Marriage certificate (not applicable if you are the parent or child).
3. You spouse’s confirmation of employment letter on his / her company’s letterhead. The letter has to be addressed to the Traffic Licencing Department, signed and with a date not later than a month before.
4. Proof of your spouse’s income. A bank statement and payslip is usually sufficient for this.

The time it takes for processing the traffic registration number varies by centres and can be between 2 hours – 6 weeks. I was told to come to collect my traffic registration number after 1 week (5 working days) when I submitted.

Times and Fees

When I went to drop my documents at the Midrand Licencing Department, I was not asked to pay anything. I am however not sure if that is the case at the other centres. You are better of also checking the centres application times, and this is different from their operating hours. Some centres process the traffic registration number on specific days. The one’s I know are:

It is important to remember to carry a pen (preferably black) with you as it will not be provided.  Also bring a copy and the original for all the documentation you will bring. For more information or assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

In the end, I saved myself R700 by just going to the Licencing Department close to me and doing the process myself. Please feel free ask or add anything I might have missed in the comments below.