Introduction
Traffic Officers or Traffic COP(s) enforce the rules of the road and signs. They focus almost exclusively on maintaining traffic safety and efficiency on the roads. They ensure that all road users including pedestrians use our roads in an orderly and safe manner.
In this blog post, we will be looking into the Top Keywords of Traffic Cop, and many more.
Top Keywords about Traffic Cop
- How do you become a traffic cop?
- Where can I study traffic cop in South Africa?
- How long is the traffic officer course?
- How much do traffic cops earn in SA?
Traffic officers are sworn-in police, but they focus almost exclusively on maintaining traffic safety and efficiency on the roads. This is the focus of their duties, which can include directing traffic, managing accidents, administering federal traffic money, and educating the public on laws and safety guidelines.
WHAT DOES ONE DO IN THIS CAREER?
A distinction is made between Provincial Traffic Officers and Municipal Traffic Officers. Provincial Traffic Officers perform their duties within the boundaries of Provinces and Municipal Traffic Officers perform their duties within the boundaries of Municipalities. Provincial Traffic Officers are also known as Provincial Inspectors. They enforce compliance with the National Road Traffic Act, National Land Transport Act and Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act. They control traffic, inspect vehicles for roadworthiness and enforce road traffic signs and rules of the road.
Provincial Inspectors and Traffic Officers spent most of their working hours outdoors on the roads. A small portion of their time is spent in courtrooms and offices doing administrative duties. They do their patrol duties mainly in motorcars and some on motorcycles and foot.
Speed-measuring apparatus, alcohol test apparatus, measuring tapes, mass-measuring apparatus, summons books, infringement notices etc.
- Advantages: Working with people and helping them to obey traffic rules, assisting to reduce the number of road crashes and thus saving lives.
- Drawbacks: Be able to work with people with various personalities, having to work during holidays and weekends. Performing duties in all weather conditions.
HOW DO I BECOME A TRAFFIC OFFICER?
You first need to be employed by a Provincial Government, Municipality or Government Agency such as the Road Traffic Management Corporation or Cross Border Road Transport Agency. Vacant posts are advertised by these Authorities in the Open Media.
You therefore need to check your local and national newspapers regularly. You may also contact any Local or Provincial Authority directly to enquire whether vacancies exist and when posts will be advertised.
WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A TRAFFIC OFFICER?
- South African Citizenship
- Grade 12 or equivalent
- No criminal record
- Code B driving Licence (manual transmission)
- Medical Certificate –that a person may do strenuous exercises.
- Applicants shall not be older than 35 years of age
WHERE DO I TRAIN AS A TRAFFIC OFFICER?
Once you are employed as a Traffic Officer/ Traffic Trainee you will be sent to one of the 14 Traffic Colleges approved by the Minister of Transport. Only the following Traffic Colleges and Metro Police Academies may currently train Traffic Officers in South Africa.
NAME | CITY/ PROVINCE | CONTACT NR. |
1. Limpopo Traffic Training College | Polokwane – Limpopo | (015) 967 0467 |
2. Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Training College | Pretoria – Gauteng | (012) 372 8000 |
3. KZN Traffic Training College | Pietermaritzburg – KZN | (033) 394 0202 |
4. Lengau Traffic Training College | Bloemfontein – Free State | (051) 409 0444 |
5. Mangaung Traffic Training College | Bloemfontein – Free State | (051) 412 8100 |
6. Gene Louw Traffic Training College | Cape Town – Western Cape | (021) 983 1501 |
7. Durban Metro Police Department Academy | Durban – KZN | (031) 701 0462 |
8. Johannesburg Metro Police Department Academy | Johannesburg – Gauteng | (011) 429 5010 |
9. Tshwane Metro Police Department Academy | Pretoria – Gauteng | (012) 358 0005 |
10. Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Academy | Springs – Gauteng | (011) 812 8700 |
11. Port Elizabeth Traffic Training College | Port Elizabeth – Eastern Cape | (041) 390 4501 |
12. Matjhabeng Traffic Training College | Welkom – Free State | (051) 876 2224 |
13. Cape Town Metro Police Deapartment Academy | Cape Town – Western Cape | (021) 447 2366 |
14. Mpumalanga Traffic Training College | Hazyview – Mpumalanga | 013 766 7292 |
WHAT CAN I DO IF I AM A PASSENGER IN A VEHICLE AND I NOTICE THAT THE DRIVER OR THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF THE ROAD?
Phone RTMC’s Call centre Number: 0861 400 800 (Not toll-free) with full particulars of the vehicle and its location. A Traffic Officer will be requested to assist where possible.
I GRADUATED FROM AN APPROPRIATELY RECOGNIZED TERTIARY TRAINING INSTITUTION, WHICH IS PROPERLY REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION. IT SEEMS AS IF MY DEGREE COURSE IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY METRO POLICE AND TRAFFIC DEPARTMENTS WHEN THEY APPOINT PERSONNEL. WHY IS THIS THE CASE AND WHAT MUST I DO?
Firstly, make sure you meet the requirements for the position that you applied for.
All Tertiary Training Institutions, registered with the Department of Higher Education, may develop their training courses. The Traffic Fraternity is many times consulted to provide input into the curriculums and course content of these courses. The traffic fraternity has no jurisdiction over Tertiary Institutions. Tertiary Institutions enrol students in terms of their regulations and successful students will graduate with fully recognized Diplomas / Degrees.
All Local Authorities and provincial and Metro Police Departments are autonomous regarding the appointment of officials to various positions. Each Department will decide individually on their appointments. Higher qualifications should put you in a better position to compete for employment should you meet the requirements of advertised posts.
Conclusion
Candidates who meet the entry requirements to advertised posts/internships are encouraged to keep on applying for these positions. Candidates must pay particular attention to how they compile their CVs and application letters. Interviewing-Shortlisting-Committees disregard many applications due to candidates not completing the application forms properly, not signing when necessary, not certifying documents when necessary, not including all documentation as per the advert, etc.
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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:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
- Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
-
Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
-
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.
-
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
-
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.
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Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
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Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
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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:
- Log into your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
- If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
- Provide a clear explanation or motivation.
📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 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.