The Traffic Officer Learnership 2026 is one of the most popular opportunities for young South Africans who want to work in law enforcement, road safety, and traffic management.
Traffic officer training in South Africa is offered through accredited traffic training academies such as the Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy, which provides professional training for the Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate: Road Traffic Law Enforcement (NQF Level 4).
This programme equips learners with the knowledge and skills required to enforce traffic laws, manage road safety, and work as qualified traffic officers in municipalities and provincial traffic departments.
About Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy
The Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy was officially approved in 2007 by the former Minister of Transport, Mr. Jeff Radebe, through the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
The academy was established after the former Welkom Traffic Training College stopped offering the Basic Traffic Diploma Course in 1998.
The first intake of learners began in July 2007, where 15 learners enrolled in Traffic Officer Course 2 of 2007, all of whom were employees of Matjhabeng Municipality.
In January 2008, Traffic Officer Course 1 started with 17 learners, including trainees from several municipalities such as:
• Matjhabeng Municipality
• Moqhaka Municipality
• Tswelopele Municipality
• Thabazimbi Municipality
Later in September 2008, two facilitators from the academy were sent to Ga-Segonyana Municipality to train nine learners as Traffic Wardens.
In January 2009, the academy welcomed 31 learners from municipalities including:
• Kgetlengrivier
• Ga-Segonyana
• Mafube
• Nketoane
• Thabazimbi
• Moqhaka
• Tswelopele
The academy achieved excellent results with pass rates of 93%, 99% and 100%, demonstrating the high quality of training offered.
Traffic Officer Qualification Offered
The academy offers the following qualification:
Further Education and Training Certificate: Road Traffic Law Enforcement
Qualification ID: 62289
NQF Level: Level 4
Training Duration: 12 Months
This programme combines classroom learning, practical training, and physical fitness preparation to prepare trainees for careers in traffic law enforcement.
Important Change to Traffic Officer Training
Applicants should note that the current one-year traffic officer qualification is expected to change soon.
Starting from January 2027, traffic officer training will become a three-year occupational qualification.
New qualification:
Occupational Qualification for Traffic Officers
NQF Level: Level 6
Qualification Code: 97639
Minimum Credits: 406
Training Duration: 3 Years
Because of this change, 2026 is considered one of the final opportunities to complete the traffic officer qualification in just one year.
Traffic Officer Learnership Requirements
To qualify for a Traffic Officer Learnership in South Africa, applicants generally need the following:
• Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate
• Valid South African ID
• Valid driver’s licence (Code B recommended)
• No criminal record
• Medical fitness certificate
• Physically fit for training
• Age usually between 18 and 35 years
Applicants may also be required to pass:
• Physical fitness tests
• Interviews
• Written assessments
What Traffic Officer Trainees Learn
The programme covers many important areas including:
• Road traffic legislation
• Law enforcement procedures
• Accident scene management
• Road safety education
• Speed law enforcement
• Vehicle inspections
• Defensive driving techniques
After completing the programme, trainees may be appointed as Traffic Officers or Peace Officers under the National Road Traffic Act.
2026 Traffic Officer Training Intake Dates
The Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy normally accepts trainees once per year.
For the 2026 intake, the expected schedule is:
Applications Open: 2 May 2026
Closing Date: 27 June 2026
Training Start Date: 1 July 2026
Who Can Study at the Traffic Training Academy
The academy mainly enrolls traffic trainees who are employed or sponsored by municipalities or provincial traffic departments.
Traffic departments from local authorities and provinces send their trainees to the academy for professional training.
The academy’s accreditation number is:
111999691940
How to Apply for Traffic Officer Training at Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy
If you want to study at the Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy, you cannot apply directly as a private student.
Instead, you must first apply for a Traffic Officer Trainee Learnership advertised by municipalities or provincial traffic departments.
Steps to Apply
Step 1:
Look for Traffic Officer Trainee or Traffic Learnership adverts from municipalities or provincial departments.
Step 2:
Submit your application with the required documents:
• Certified copy of ID
• Certified Matric certificate
• Driver’s licence copy
• Medical fitness certificate
• Updated CV
Step 3:
If selected by a municipality or provincial department, you will be sent to an accredited traffic training academy such as Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy for training.
Final Advice for Applicants
Traffic Officer Learnerships are very competitive, and thousands of applicants apply every year.
If you are interested in becoming a traffic officer:
• Apply early when adverts open
• Make sure your documents are ready
• Prepare for physical fitness assessments
• Monitor municipal and provincial job adverts regularly
This opportunity can lead to a stable career in law enforcement and public safety in South Africa.
