Car Hire in South Africa - driving license law
- By: Editor
- On: 05/Oct/2007
- In: South Africa Travel Tips
As in other countries, when hiring a car in South Africa you have to meet certain licensing regulation criteria.
The following criteria must be met when hiring a car in South Africa:
Full driving license: Your driving license must be a Full Driving License. It can NOT be a provisional or probationary license (or equivalent).
Clean driving license: The licence must be endorsement free. If your country has a penalty points system you may not rent a car if you have points on your license.
Held license for 2 years: Having a Full and un-Endorsed license isn’t enough, you will have to have had your license for a minimum of 2 years before you get a rental in South Africa. This is to ensure you have enough driving experience prior to renting the car.
Licence must be in an official language of South Africa: You'll need an International Driving License or an original licence in one of the official languages of South Africa. English is one of these so if your license is in English then you'll not need the International Driving License. The other official languages in South Africa are: Afrikaans, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.
You must be over 21: You have to be over-21 to rent a car in South Africa. In addition, some rental companies may charge a 'young drivers' fee if you're under 25.
Restrictions also apply to all additional drivers: All of the above restrictions will apply to any and all additional drivers who wish to drive the rental car in South Africa.
Most obviously you (and your additional drivers) will have to have your license with you when you go to collect your car rental and you'll have to keep it with you throughout your trip.
If you have any queries about car hire in South Africa, just leave your question in the comments box below and we'll get back to you.
Subscribe to RSS
Comments
- #1
- By: steve heather
- On: 30/Nov/2008
Do I need any documentation to hire a car in South Africa.I am Australian resident , aged 51 , with clean licence in Australia, with no endorsements and I have been driving since 19.Anything I need to do to be bale to hire a car???- #2
- By: Editor
- On: 03/Dec/2008
Hi Steve,Thanks for the question. You need to have a valid unendorsed licence with a minimum age ranging from 18 to 21 years depending on the rental company.
- #3
- By: charlene
- On: 27/Jan/2009
we moved to australia from south africa 18 months ago and our south african licenses have expired. we have now got south australian licenses. we will be going back to south africa for a visit and i need to know if we will be able to drive on our australian licenses?- #4
- By: Editor
- On: 29/Jan/2009
Hi Charlene,If you are just going for a visit then you will be able to use your Australian License.
If you are going for a longer period (i.e. being resident for over 6 months) then you will need a new South African license.
Hope that helps.
- #5
- By: Chris Stock
- On: 11/Dec/2009
I hjave been advised that to drive in South Africa you in addition need an internaional driving license- #6
- By: Ursula
- On: 17/Nov/2011
I am an ex South African going for a visit to Cape Town for a month and my partner is an Australian. Do we need to get IDP's or can we drive and hire a car with our Australian drivers license.RegardsUrsula- #7
- By: Editor
- On: 18/Nov/2011
Hi Ursula,If you are just going for a holiday visit then you will be able to use your Australian License.
Regards
Editor
- #8
- By: Debbie
- On: 25/Nov/2011
Can I use my UK paper driving or do I need a photo one- #9
- By: Editor
- On: 28/Nov/2011
Hi Debbie, Thanks for your commentBasically I think you would be best advised to bring your full drivers licence when travelling in South Africa.
- #10
- By: Martin
- On: 30/Dec/2011
Hi, I'm visiting Cape Town for three weeks and have the possibility of borrowing a car from my in-laws. As an EU citizen, is there anything I need to take into consideration i.e. insurance coverage?- #11
- By: Editor
- On: 06/Jan/2012
Hi Martin,Thanks for your comment. You are best advised to check with the insurance company that cover your inlaws car. Make sure to carry your drivers licence with you at all times.
Best Regards
John
Novacarhire.com
- #12
- By: Fabio
- On: 06/Jan/2012
How about an Italian licence? It's valid in all Europe for example, but it's only in Italian, there isn't an English translation on it.Thanks- #13
- By: jason
- On: 21/Jan/2012
i am going on a holiday to sa in august i have a full australian license and wanted to hire a car we will be going to botswana and zimbabwe should i have any problems with driving in these other two countries...just another question do i need a visa in any of these countries sa botswana and zimbabwe.....thanks jason- #14
- By: Editor
- On: 24/Jan/2012
Hi Jason,If you are just going for a visit To SA then you will be able to use your Australian License.
Enjoy your trip!
Regards
John
We really appreciate your comments. We reserve the right to moderate posted comments and may paraphrase individual entries. Opinions expressed here are not the opinions held by Novacarhire.com unless expressly stated.
Leave a comment