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Learner’s Licence Trials and Tribulations

Getting a driving licence is a long process, that’s for sure.

Eager as you might be to get behind the wheel, there are channels you need to go through before you can finally call yourself a legal driver.

You’ve heard the stories about drivers on the Namibian roads; they can be reckless when they disobey the road rules. This is where the learner’s driving licence comes in and Top Revs is here to tell you how to get yours.

You’ll Need Earphones For This

The journey to your licence begins at the nearest Namibian Traffic Information System Branch (Natis). Before you make your way there, remember to get a certified copy of your ID, specifically from the police, and take along N$45.

Once you do so, a Natis employee will give you a form. If you’re based in Windhoek, the forms finish quite fast, so the earlier you get there (preferably before 10h00), the better. It doesn’t end there, though. Every one is desperate to get their learner’s, so expect long queues and be prepared to wait. You could find your entire morning reserved for booking the learner’s, so get comfortable on the benches, make sure you eat in advance and don’t ask people to keep your spot.

Know which kind of licence you want to apply for. Code one is for those who are interested in motorcycles. You must be 16 or older for the A1 licence and 17 for the Code A licence, which are all under Code one.

Code two involves normal sedans or vehicles which do not exceed 3 500kg and you must be 17 or older. Code three is for vehicles that exceed 3 500kg such as trucks and heavy-duty vehicles and this is for 18 and older age groups.

The waiting process can get draining, but the rest is fast. Be ready for an eye test, and if you have glasses, it’s advisable to take them along. If you fail the minute-long test, you’ll be sent out the door and you’ll have to get prescription glasses before you can proceed to the next step.

After the eye test, you’re taken to another queue where you have to make the necessary payments and the date of your learner’s exam is given to you. Some people opt to go on Fridays because they’ll have the weekend and a handful of days to study. On the other days, however, you could be told to write the exam the next day (which was the case for me!) or two weeks in advance. Either way, be ready.

Booked and Busy

You’ve got a date with Natis and now it’s time to study. Don’t be confused with the South African K53 learner’s manual – a new Namibian version, the Learner’s Licence Study Guide, is the correct booklet and includes old test papers to assist you. In addition, you can get a copy of the Namibian Learner’s Driving Licence Manual at Natis.

The learner’s exam is strictly multiple choice, but don’t be fooled, this is not an easy high school test! The questions are structured to confuse you, so study extensively from the road signs to the rules. People have studied within a day, but if you need a bit more time, study in advance before you go book so you don’t get caught by surprise.

Like any major exam, it’s best if you leave your valuables at home (including your phone). Unless you have to, pack them in a bag and you’ll be able to keep your belongings inside the classroom. Take along the document given to you during your booking process and your original ID to write, and remember, no learner’s books are allowed in the venue.

The exam is about an hour long. Follow the examiner’s instructions (if you don’t, you could be disqualified) and you’ll be ready to go! The results only take a day to be released and you can either call the Natis centre, SMS a number or email them. The details will be presented to you during the exam. It’s normal to feel super anxious about the results for a day or so, but if you’re confident you passed, have hope!

Don’t feel bad if you don’t make it the first time. I certainly didn’t. You may only go through the booking process again two weeks after you have written the exam, so use the time to study as hard as you can and prepare yourself. However, if you’ve made it, congratulations! Don’t forget to collect your learner’s driving licence for N$35 at the venue you booked at. Now you have 18 months to get your driving licence. Good luck!

– Mickey Nekomba on Facebook; @MickeyNekomba on Twitter

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