How you can help your nanny can get her driving licence.

Many families would like to empower their nanny further by helping her obtain her drivers licence.

In order to succeed at this, it’s important that both the nanny and the employer do their homework. It’s important to assess the cost and timelines involved otherwise it can work out quote costly if a nanny has to redo her driver’s test more than once.

I have spoken to the driving instructors and the recommended minimum educational level for a domestic nanny is matric.

Facts to know:
South African licence codes have changed. They used to be presented in code 8 code 10 and code 14.
A domestic nanny would apply for a light motor vehicle – code 2, unless she wanted to drive a truck.
For a light motor vehicle, the code 2 is now B and EB. The minimum age to apply is 17 years for a learner’s licence and 18 years for a drivers licence.
A great site to visit to gain information about the driving centers in and around Cape Town and see review the waiting period before you may book a date is the www.capetown.gov.za/en/driverslicence.

The process:

Step 1: Find a registered driving instructor in your area.

The driving instructor has to have a valid instructor certificate which is renewed annually by the Traffic Department.
The driving instructor’s car must be insured and covers both the driver and learner during the practical training sessions.

Step 2: Help her to prepare for her Learners Licence Training:

Description:   A learner’s licence is a provisional licence that certifies that you have a basic knowledge of driving a motor vehicle. Learner’s licence codes are divided into three categories that each has an age specification attached to it.
We are looking at: Code 2

• Light motor vehicle – 17 years old.

Applicants will not be tested on the day of appointment and the waiting period for a test differs from municipality to municipality. A learner’s licence is valid for 18 months and cannot be extended.

 Step 3: Go to the traffic department and make an appointment

• Complete form (LL1) at your local testing centre. They will issue you with a date in which to complete your learner’s licence test.
• Produce your identity document or temporary ID and submit a certified copy of that document.
• Submit two black and white ID photos.
• You will be required to undergo an eye test at the testing centre.
• Pay the prescribed fee.

Cost 
Western Cape
Booking fee is R68
Issue fee is R33

• The learner’s licence is issued on the same day that you completed the test.
• The learners licence material is available in both in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
• We do advise you to send your nanny on formal training (3 sessions) to cover the learners licence training material.
• Each lesson with our instructor is 1 ½ hrs and the cost for three lessons is R500.
• Three sessions is advised.
• There are online sites that can assist with the online learner’s license which are more affordable but unfortunately not all the nannies are computer savvy.
• Once your nanny has passed her Learners Licence, she will be ready to prepare and learn how to drive so she can take her drivers licence.

Step 4:  Help her prepare for her Driver’s Licence:

Description: A driver’s licence authorises a person to drive a motor vehicle. The licence contains your identification particulars as a qualified driver. To apply for the licence you must be 18 years or older.

Step 5: Go to the traffic department and make an appointment

• Contact your nearest driver’s licence testing centre to set a date.
• Complete form DL1 at the driver’s licence testing centre.
• Bring the following:
• learner’s licence
• identity document (ID) or passport
• four black and white ID photos.
• Your nanny’s fingerprints will be taken on site.
• An eye test will be done on site, before a testing date is booked. (Make a note of the test date that is given to you).
• The nanny cannot have epilepsy.
• The application is processed on the same day and a test date is allocated to you.
• Pay the prescribed fee.

Costs:

• Light Motor vehicle Code 2
  Booking fee is  R135
  Issue fee is R110

What the driving instructor advises:

In order for your nanny to prepare for her drivers licence and ensure she is given the chance to pass it. The driving instructors advise that she should have at least:

1. 40 hrs of instructed driving time
2. 20 hrs of private practice with an experienced driver

• It is important to give your nanny at least 4 months of practice time to complete her 60 hrs of practice driving time.
• It is advised that she has about 25 sessions with a driving instructor so she has the best chance of passing the first time.
• Each lesson is a 1 ½ and costs individually R150.00
• It is possible to book a group of sessions at a discounted rate. E.g. 20 sessions at R2250.00.
• Feedback is provided after each driving session.
• Should the employer be assisting her domestic nanny with the costs, our driving instructor is able to let the employer know after 5 sessions where the nanny has the acumen and skill required to get her drivers license.
• A nanny should be able to complete in the first two months at least 13 sessions (20 hrs) of instructed driving time. Your nanny will be completing 2 sessions a week. 1 session during the week and 1 during the weekend is advised.
• Please be aware as an employer, you will need to provide 2 hrs in the week off for her to practice in her first two months.
• In her 3^rd month, she is now capable of practicing her driving with an experienced driver. She should try spend at least 3 hrs a week practicing her driving with an experienced driver as well as continuing her 2 instructored lessons with her driving instructor on a weekly basis.
• Once she has completed her 20 hrs of private driving practice, the instructor will focus on his last 5 sessions to ensure that she is well prepared to complete her K53 driving license.

What type of budget are we looking at:

(Please note that each lesson is 1 ½ hrs)
Learner License lessons (3) = 500.00
25 lessons of instructored driving time = R2875.00
6 photos = R50- R80
Learners License= R101.00
Paying Drivers License= R245.00

Total: R3771

If your nanny will be driving your children, it’s important that she has at least a year of driving experience under her belt.
Patience is required but once she has completed her drivers licence, it really can make a difference in assisting you with your family needs & schedule especially as the children get older and have the extra mural activities. Also you are empowering her with a lifelong skill.

Our recommended driving school for Nannies and Aupairs is:

The K53 Driving School
Contact: Victor Downing
downingaccounts@gmail.com
021 7972831or 083381661