Professional drivers are the backbone of South Africa’s logistics, mining, and public transport sectors. Code 10 and Code 14 drivers are in high demand — and salaries reflect this. Here is the complete 2026 salary guide.
Salary by Licence Code (2026)
Code 10 Driver (Heavy Motor Vehicle — up to 16,000 kg GVM)
R8,000–R18,000 per month. Code 10 drivers in distribution, retail delivery, and municipal services typically earn R8,000–R14,000/month. With a PDP (Professional Driving Permit) and 3+ years of experience, earnings reach R15,000–R18,000/month.
Code 14 Driver (Extra-Heavy Motor Vehicle)
R14,000–R28,000 per month. Long-haul Code 14 truck drivers with clean records, PDP, and dangerous goods certificates earn R16,000–R25,000/month. Specialised tanker drivers (petroleum, chemicals) earn R25,000–R30,000/month or more.
Bus / Metro Driver
R8,000–R15,000 per month. Public transport drivers (metro bus services) earn R8,000–R12,000/month on structured salary scales.
Certifications That Increase Driver Salary
PDP is mandatory for commercial transport and adds R1,000–R2,500/month. Dangerous Goods certificate adds R2,000–R5,000/month for tanker drivers. Cross-border driving (Zambia, Zimbabwe routes) earns 20–40% more than domestic routes.
Career Progression
Driver → Senior Driver → Fleet Coordinator → Transport Supervisor → Logistics Manager. Drivers with fleet management experience transition into operations management earning R35,000–R60,000/month.
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