In South Africa, the terms EC and EC1 refer to different categories of heavy vehicle driver’s licenses, each allowing you to drive vehicles of specific weight ranges.
EC License (Code 14)
The EC license, also known as Code 14, permits you to drive heavy motor vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) exceeding 16,000 kilograms. This category includes large articulated trucks, tankers, and other heavy commercial vehicles.
EC1 License (Code EC1)
The EC1 license, or Code EC1, is a subcategory of the EC license. It allows you to operate heavy vehicles with a GVM between 3,500 kilograms and 16,000 kilograms. This includes medium-sized trucks and buses that are lighter than those covered by the full EC license.
Summary:
- EC license (Code 14) — for heavy vehicles over 16,000 kg GVM
- EC1 license (Code EC1) — for heavy vehicles between 3,500 kg and 16,000 kg GVM
Make sure to follow the specific rules and limitations set by the licensing authorities when driving vehicles under these licenses.