Truck driver wages will be increased by 7% starting from the 1st of March 2024.
The National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) sent out a circular announcing the upcoming changes regarding minimum wages, across-the-board increases, allowances, and the inclusion of a new job category, Basic Rigger Driver.
These changes will take effect from 01 March 2024 to 28 February 2025, and they were previously communicated in a October 2023.
The increases on minimum wages, across-the-board increases, and allowances applicable for the period 01 March 2024 to 28 February 2025 are as follows:
The NBCRFLI published the minimum wages for truck drivers working in the sector. This is after the Minister of Employment and Labour promulgated the amendments to the Council’s Main Collective Agreement, effective from 1 March 2023.
Read | Durban trucking boss shoots driver over outstanding wages
In this regard, the increases on minimum wages, across the board and allowances applicable for the period 01 March 2024 to 28 February 2025 are as follows:
The latest truck driver salary from March 2023
General freight and furniture removal sectors’ minimum wages from 1 March 2024 until 28 February 2025
| Class | Current Minimum Weekly Wage | Minimum Weekly Wage from 1 March 2024 | Monthly salary from 1 March 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium motor vehicle driver (both articulated and rigid) | R2485.25 | R2659.22 | R11,514.42 |
| Heavy Motor Vehicle Driver (both articulated and rigid) | R2787.90 | R2983.05 | R12,916.61 |
| Extra-heavy Motor Vehicle Driver (both articulated and rigid) | R2787.90 | R2983.05 | R12,916.61 |
| Ultra-heavy Motor Vehicle Driver / Basic Rigger Driver | R3322.06 | R3554.60 | R15,391.42 |
| Abnormal Load Driver | R4045.18 | R4328.34 | R18,741.71 |
| Petroleum Tanker Driver | R3388.83 | R3626.05 | R15,700.80 |
Courier Sector wage structure is the same except for the Medium motor vehicle driver (both articulated and rigid) which increases to R2 643,33 from R2 470,40.
The above wages for medium vehicle drivers (code 10) when converted to monthly salaries means that the minimum will be R11 445,62.
Converted to monthly salaries code 14 truck drivers driving vehicles with a gross weight of 24 tonnes or less will earn R12 916,62 per month. The hourly rate for this class of code 14 drivers is R66,29.
Code 14 drivers driving vehicles with a gross weight of up to 56 tonnes (Ultra-heavy vehicles) will earn R15 391,44 at an hourly rate of R78,99.
Abnormal load truck drivers’ minimum monthly salary is now R18 741,71 and the hourly rate is R96,18.
Truck drivers work for a maximum permissible period of 45 hours which represents a five-day working week at a maximum of 9 hours a day.
Truck drivers can work overtime up to six days a week upon agreeing with their employer, which then makes their salaries go up significantly.
It must be noted that these are minimum wages, more experienced drivers can earn much more than this.
Truck drivers’ salaries also differ with some earning substantially more based on which companies they drive for and what they transport. Download the circular here for more information and other pay grades.
The average truck driver salary in South Africa is R204 000 per year. Entry-level positions start at R 168 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R460 000 per year.
How much do code 14 truck drivers earn?
Code 14 drivers driving vehicles with a gross weight of up to 56 tonnes (Ultra-heavy vehicles) earn R15 391,44 at an hourly rate of R78,99.
How much do code 10 truck drivers earn?
Medium vehicle drivers (code 10) earn a monthly salary of R11 445,62 according to the Main Collective Agreement
