Traffic Officer Learnership 2026: How to Apply, Requirements & Training Colleges

Key Takeaways: The Road to the Uniform

The License Rule: Unlike SAPS, you MUST have a valid Driver’s License (Code B/EB) before you apply. No license = No interview.

The Form: You must use the New Z83 Form (Government Standard).

The Age Limit: Generally 18 to 35 years.

The Record: A clean criminal record is non-negotiable.

The Job: Traffic Officers enforce the National Road Traffic Act. They are distinct from Metro Police (who fight crime) and SAPS.

When you see a uniform on the side of the road, it is easy to assume “it’s the police.” But in South Africa, Law Enforcement is split into three distinct branches: The SAPS, the Metropolitan Police, and the Provincial/Municipal Traffic Services.

Becoming a Traffic Officer is one of the most sought-after learnerships in the country. It offers a 12-month paid training program, a guaranteed qualification, and usually, a permanent job upon completion.

However, because these learnerships are managed by individual Provinces (e.g., Western Cape Department of Transport) or Municipalities (e.g., Polokwane Municipality), they do not open all at once. You have to know where to look.

This guide explains the specific requirements for 2026, the grueling physical test you must pass, and how to avoid the “Fake Traffic College” scams that rob thousands of students every year.

Part 1: Traffic Officer vs. Metro Police (Know the Difference)

Before you apply, you must understand what you are signing up for.

1. Provincial Traffic Officer (“The Green & Beige”)

Jurisdiction: Provincial Roads (Highways like the N1, N3).
Focus: 90% Road Safety (Speeding, Drunk Driving, unroadworthy vehicles) and 10% Crime Prevention.
Employer: The Provincial Department of Transport (e.g., KZN Transport).
Scope: They can operate anywhere within the province.

2. Municipal Traffic Officer

Jurisdiction: Within a specific town’s limits (e.g., Stellenbosch Municipality).
Focus: Parking tickets, bylaws, local traffic flow.

3. Metro Police (e.g., JMPD, EMPD, TMPD, Cape Town Metro)

Focus: 50% Traffic / 50% Crime Prevention.
Powers: They have wider powers than Traffic Officers. They enforce municipal bylaws (hawking, dumping) and fight general crime alongside SAPS.
Training: Their training is longer and more tactical.

This guide focuses specifically on the Traffic Officer Learnership.

Part 2: Minimum Requirements (The “Big 4”)

Traffic Departments are stricter than SAPS regarding driving skills because your office is a car.

1. The Driver’s License (The Deal Breaker)

You MUST possess a valid Code B (Manual) driving license.
Note: Learners Licenses are rarely accepted. Automatic licenses (Code EB restricted) are usually rejected because patrol vehicles are manual.
Why? During training, you do advanced defensive driving. They cannot teach you how to drive from scratch; they only teach you how to drive tactically.

2. Matric Certificate (Grade 12)

You need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or NCV Level 4.
Unlike other sectors, specific subjects (Math/Science) are usually not mandatory, but literacy in English is essential for writing fines and court reports.

3. Clean Criminal Record

You cannot enforce the law if you have broken it.
Fingerprints are sent to the Criminal Record Centre. Even a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) from 5 years ago will disqualify you instantly.

4. Medical Fitness

You must pass a medical exam. Conditions that prevent you from running, standing for 6 hours, or handling a firearm (vision issues) will lead to disqualification.

Part 3: The Application Process (Mastering the Z83)

Traffic Learnerships are government jobs^. This means you must speak the language of government bureaucracy: The Z83 Form.

Step 1: Get the RIGHT Form

In 2021, the government updated the Z83.
If you use the old form (which asks for your CV details on the back), your application is thrown away unread.
Download: Search for “New Z83 Form 2026” on the DPSA website.

Step 2: Filling it Out

Reference Number: This is crucial. Every advert has a unique code (e.g., REF: WC/TRAFFIC/2026). Write this exactly as it appears.
Position: “Traffic Officer Learnership.”
Department: e.g., “Department of Transport and Public Works.”

Step 3: The Documents

CV: Updated and short.
ID & License: Certified copies.
Matric: Certified copy.
Note on Certification: Certification should usually be less than 3 or 6 months old (check the specific advert).

Step 4: Submission

These are rarely online. You usually have to hand-deliver to a regional office or post it.
Tip: If posting, use Registered Mail so you have a tracking number. Government mailrooms are notorious for losing envelopes.

Part 4: The Accredited Traffic Colleges (Avoid Scams)

This is the most dangerous part of the process.

The Scam:

You see an advert for “Private Traffic College” promising to train you for R15,000. You pay. You get a certificate. You go to the Traffic Department to apply for a job. They laugh at you.

Reality: You cannot “buy” your way into this job. You must be selected for a learnership by the Department. The Department then pays for your training.

The 13 Official Colleges:

Only Diplomas from these institutions are recognized. If a college is not on this list, it is likely a scam or offers non-recognized training.

Gene Louw Traffic College (Western Cape – Brackenfell) Highly prestigious.
Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Training College (Pretoria).
KZN Traffic Training College (Pietermaritzburg).
Limpopo Traffic Training College (Polokwane/Manenu).
Mangaung Traffic Training College (Free State).
Lengau Traffic Training College (Free State).
Durban Metro Police Training Academy.
Johannesburg Metro Police Academy.
Tshwane Metro Police Academy.
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Academy.
Port Elizabeth Traffic Training College.
Matjhabeng Traffic Training College.
Mpumalanga Traffic Training College.

Rule: Do not pay a college directly unless you have a confirmation letter from a Municipality guaranteeing they will employ you afterwards.

Part 5: The Fitness Assessment (The Beep Test)

Traffic Officers must be fit. You will be chasing suspects, directing traffic for hours in the sun, and physically restraining offenders.

If your Z83 is accepted, you will be invited to a testing day.

The Assessment Battery:

2.4km Run: Completed within a specific time (usually under 12-14 mins for males).
The Beep Test (Shuttle Run): You run back and forth between two beacons 20m apart. The beeps get faster. You must keep up. This tests cardiovascular endurance.
Push-ups & Sit-ups: Testing core and upper body strength (1 minute timed).
Reach Test: Flexibility.

Preparation:

Do not wait for the SMS to start training. You cannot “fake” fitness on the day. If you fail the run, you are sent home immediately.

Part 6: The Training Curriculum (What You Learn)

The Learnership lasts 12 months and results in a Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC): Road Traffic Law Enforcement.

Phase 1: Theory (Classroom)

NRTA: The National Road Traffic Act. You must memorize hundreds of regulations (e.g., exact tyre tread depth, vehicle weight limits).
CPA: Criminal Procedure Act. How to arrest, how to gather evidence.
AARTO: The administrative adjudication system.

Phase 2: Practical (Yard)

Point Duty: Learning the whistle and hand signals to direct traffic at intersections.
Vehicle Check: How to stop a truck and check its brakes, lights, and load.

Phase 3: Tactical (Field)

Firearm Training: Handgun (9mm) and Shotgun/Rifle. You must pass the shooting range test.
Defensive Driving: High-speed pursuit training, skid control, and reversing.
First Aid: Accident scene management.

The Stipend:

While training, you are an employee. You receive a monthly stipend (approx. R3,500 – R5,000 depending on the province).

Part 7: Salary and Career Path

Once you qualify and are appointed permanently:

Rank: Traffic Officer Grade 1.
Salary: Approx. R180,000 – R220,000 per year (Entry Level).
Benefits: Medical Aid, Pension, 13th Cheque, Housing Allowance.
Overtime: Traffic Officers earn significant overtime pay for working weekends, public holidays, and night shifts.

Career Progression:

Grade 1 -> Grade 2 -> Grade 3.
Principal Inspector.
Chief Traffic Officer.
Specialized Units: You can move into the Ghost Squad (Unmarked cars), Weighbridge (Heavy duty trucks), or VIP Protection.

Part 8: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply with glasses?

A: Yes, but your vision must meet a minimum standard with correction. You cannot have severe visual impairments that would prevent you from seeing a number plate at a distance or aiming a firearm.

Q: Does having a tattoo disqualify me?

A: Generally, yes, if it is visible. While policies are relaxing in some corporate sectors, uniformed services remain strict about tattoos on hands, necks, and faces.

Q: I have a criminal record for a fight at school 10 years ago. Can I apply?

A: If you were formally charged and convicted (have a criminal record number), you are disqualified. You can try to apply for Expungement of your record if 10 years have passed, but you cannot apply for the job until that record is officially cleared from the system.

Q: Can I just walk into Gene Louw College and register?

A: NO. Gene Louw trains people who are already employed or selected by the Department. You must apply for the Learnership vacancy advertised by the Department of Transport, not the college itself.

Conclusion: Watch the Gazette

Traffic Officer Learnerships are rare and highly contested. They do not appear every day.

Your Strategy:

Check the DPSA Vacancy Circular every Friday.
Follow the Facebook pages of your Provincial Department of Transport (e.g., “Western Cape Mobility Department”).
Have your Z83 filled out and your documents certified and ready to go.

When the advert drops, the window is usually only 2 weeks. Be ready.

Disclaimer: Recruitment policies are subject to change. Always verify the specific requirements in the official government gazette advert.