How to pass eye test for driver’s license in South Africa?

To pass eye test for a driver’s license in South Africa, your visual acuity and field of vision (visual field) are two of the most important factors for driving safely on the road.

This is why an eye test is so important when applying for your learner’s or driver’s licence. The eye test uses the Snellen chart which consists of several rows starting with larger alphabets from the top and gradually decreasing in size towards the bottom.

To qualify for a car driver’s licence in South Africa, you need to meet the minimum eyesight standard according to the Snellen rating. The minimum is a visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) for each eye and a visual field of 120 degrees is needed to safely operate a vehicle. If you need prescription lenses to pass this eye test then this must be declared on your driver’s licence.

Night-time driving and glare

Driving in the dark requires you to focus and concentrate a lot more than when driving in daylight. Naturally, your visibility is significantly lower, but there is also the added challenge of glare from streetlights and oncoming headlights. Glare in your eyes can be temporarily blinding and put you in danger of a collision.

While glaring headlights can happen to all drivers at night, seeing halos or starbursts around lights could be due to other eyesight issues of varying levels of severity. This can range from something as simple as an incorrect lens prescription to a condition as serious as a cataract. If you’re required to drive regularly at night and are experiencing symptoms, it’s worth having your vision checked and corrected as soon as possible.

In the meantime, take extra measures by improving visibility for night driving:

  • Ensure windows and both windshields are thoroughly cleaned inside and out.
  • Keep your headlamps and clean to ensure proper lighting on the road ahead.
  • Get your headlamps checked with your regular vehicle service to ensure bulbs are in proper working order.

There are two outcomes if you fail your eye test at the traffic department and have a screening done

at your optometrist:

1. If you fail the optometrist screening and a full eye exam is advised: 

During the test it will reveal that you might need spectacles for driving. This is not the end of the world, as it would help you to have better vision on the road. It would also help your depth perception and make it easier to judge distances. You will then be issued with a certificate and a prescription for spectacles which you should take to the traffic department. They will issue your licence, valid for driving with spectacles.

2. Most people pass the screening at their optometrist easily. We then issue you with a certificate which can be presented at the traffic department to issue your licence without any restrictions.

What I have also learned is, some of the traffic departments are open over weekends. I went at around 11 am on a Saturday and the process was quick and seamless.

Keep up to date with your driver’s licence don’t let it expire!!!

Vision for safe driving doesn’t start and end with a visual acuity test. As a driver, any compromise on your vision will affect your reaction time, depth perception, peripheral vision, and night time vision. This means ensuring your rear view mirrors are properly adjusted, your windscreen is clear, there are minimal distractions in your view, and not driving under the influence of any substances that may affect your senses, particularly your eyesight.

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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