Car Hire in South Africa: What to Know Before You Drive

Before you leave the rental car park

South Africa has everything from modern multi-lane freeways to remote rural roads, mountain passes and wildlife areas. Check the vehicle carefully before beginning your journey.

• Confirm the fuel type: check whether the vehicle uses petrol, diesel, electricity or another fuel.
• Find the controls: locate the lights, indicators, wipers, hazard lights, demister and parking brake.
• Check existing damage: make sure visible damage is recorded and consider taking your own photographs.
• Check the tyres: inspect them for obvious damage and confirm that a spare wheel or puncture-repair kit is present.
• Ask about tolls: check whether the vehicle has a SANRAL or other electronic toll tag and how toll charges are handled.
• Check the mileage allowance: distances between destinations can be substantial.
• Save roadside-assistance details: keep the rental provider's assistance number accessible.

Road conditions can require a much lower speed

A road's legal maximum is not necessarily a safe speed for its current condition.

• Slow down for potholes, damaged surfaces and roadworks.
• Reduce speed where pedestrians or livestock are near the road.
• Increase following distance in rain or poor visibility.
• Expect sharp differences in road quality between major national routes and some rural roads.
• Follow temporary speed restrictions even where the normal road limit is higher.

Traffic lights are often called robots

In South Africa, a traffic light is commonly called a robot. The word appears frequently in local directions and traffic reports.

• A direction such as "turn left at the next robot" means turn at the next set of traffic lights.
• Approach malfunctioning traffic lights cautiously.
• Government tourist guidance advises treating a non-functioning signalised junction as a four-way stop.
• Proceed in turn and watch carefully for drivers who may not do the same.

Four-way stops are common

• Come to a complete stop.
• Vehicles normally proceed according to the order in which they arrived.
• If vehicles arrive together, communicate cautiously and do not force priority.
• Watch for pedestrians before moving off.
• Take particular care at a junction where the traffic signals are not working.

South Africa has conventional toll roads

Several national routes use toll plazas. Some are operated directly by SANRAL and others by concession companies.

• Toll plazas are found on sections of routes including the N1, N3, N4 and other national roads.
• Toll charges depend on the road and vehicle class.
• Follow the lane signs for the payment method available to you.
• Electronic tags can be used at participating conventional toll plazas.
• Payment arrangements can differ between toll operators.
• Ask the rental company whether any toll tag is fitted and how charges will be billed.

Gauteng e-tolls have ended

Older travel guides can be misleading about the former Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project e-toll system.

• Charging on the Gauteng e-toll network ended at 23:59 on 11 April 2024.
• Vehicles are no longer charged e-tolls for using those Gauteng freeway sections.
• The former gantry infrastructure can remain in use for other traffic and road-management purposes.
• The end of Gauteng e-tolls did not abolish conventional toll plazas elsewhere in South Africa.
• Do not confuse the former Gauteng e-toll network with ordinary tolled national routes.

Plan long-distance driving realistically

South Africa is a large country, and destinations that look close on a national map can be several hours apart by road.

• Build rest stops into longer journeys.
• Avoid driving when tired.
• Keep enough fuel in the tank for unexpected diversions.
• Check live traffic and road information before a major journey.
• Where practical, complete unfamiliar rural journeys during daylight.

Take extra care after dark

Night driving can be more demanding outside major urban areas.

• Pedestrians can be difficult to see on poorly lit roads.
• Livestock and wildlife can enter rural roads.
• Potholes and road damage may be harder to identify.
• Reduce speed when visibility is limited.
• Current travel guidance recommends being especially vigilant at night and avoiding unfamiliar areas where practical.

Use normal security precautions when driving

Vehicle crime is a consideration in some parts of South Africa, so straightforward precautions are worthwhile.

• Keep doors locked and windows closed where appropriate in busy urban traffic.
• Keep phones, bags and valuables out of sight.
• Do not leave luggage visible in a parked vehicle.
• Use established fuel stations and busy stopping places on longer journeys.
• Avoid stopping unnecessarily on isolated motorway shoulders.
• If you feel unsafe, continue to a busy public place or police station where it is safe to do so.

Watch for potholes and damaged road surfaces

Road quality varies considerably. National highways can be excellent while some regional and local roads can contain serious surface damage.

• Scan well ahead rather than following the vehicle in front too closely.
• Avoid sudden swerves into oncoming traffic.
• Reduce speed on unfamiliar secondary roads.
• After a significant impact, stop somewhere safe and inspect the tyre or contact the rental company's roadside assistance.

Wildlife and livestock can enter the road

• Be alert for livestock on rural roads.
• Wildlife may be more active around dawn and dusk.
• Reduce speed where animal-warning signs are displayed.
• Do not swerve sharply if doing so would create a greater danger.
• Within a national park or private reserve, follow the specific speed limits and wildlife rules for that property.

Check the rental terms before a self-drive safari

A normal rental car can be suitable for many established self-drive routes, but permitted road surfaces and vehicle use are controlled by the rental agreement.

• Stay on roads permitted by the rental provider.
• Do not assume that off-road driving is covered by the rental agreement.
• Follow all park or reserve instructions.
• Remain inside the vehicle where the park rules require it.
• Allow animals plenty of space and never attempt to force a path through wildlife.

Weather conditions vary greatly by region

• Heavy summer thunderstorms can affect Gauteng and inland areas.
• Intense rain can produce local flooding.
• Mountain passes can experience fog, snow or ice in colder weather.
• Strong winds can affect exposed coastal routes.
• Never drive through flood water when the depth or road condition is uncertain.

Refuelling

• Confirm the correct fuel before leaving the rental branch.
• Major national routes have regular service stations.
• Distances between fuel stops can be greater in remote areas.
• Refuel before beginning a long rural journey rather than waiting for the warning light.
• Service stations are normally attended, so follow the attendant's instructions.
• Keep the final fuel receipt if your rental agreement requires one.

Drink-driving limit

The current legal blood-alcohol limit for an ordinary driver is below 0.05 g per 100 ml of blood.

• Professional drivers are subject to a lower limit of 0.02 g per 100 ml.
• Driving while impaired can be an offence even apart from the numerical alcohol threshold.
• Roadblocks and alcohol enforcement are used throughout the country.
• The government is pursuing a future zero-alcohol policy, but that legislative change was not yet in force when this page was reviewed.
• Do not treat the legal threshold as a safe drinking target.
• The simplest approach with a rental car is zero alcohol before driving.

Driving licence requirements for visitors

South African government guidance states that foreign visitors need a full driving licence from their country of residence.

• A valid foreign licence printed in English can be used.
• If the licence is in another language, an International Driving Permit should be obtained.
• Carry the original driving licence rather than relying only on a photograph or photocopy.
• An International Driving Permit does not replace the underlying national licence.
• Rental providers can impose their own minimum-age, licence-holding and documentation requirements.

Irish driving licence holders

A full Irish driving licence includes English and therefore meets the language requirement stated in South African government guidance for foreign licences.

• Carry your current full Irish driving licence.
• Check that the licence covers the vehicle category being hired.
• Ask the rental provider whether it also requests an International Driving Permit under its own rental conditions.
• Carry your passport or other identification required by the rental company.

Check the rental terms before crossing a border

Road trips from South Africa into neighbouring countries are possible, but permission from the rental provider should never be assumed.

• Confirm that every country on your itinerary is permitted.
• Check whether a cross-border letter or written authorisation is required.
• Confirm that insurance and roadside assistance remain valid.
• Additional border or vehicle charges can apply.
• Road, insurance and driving rules change when you cross into Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique or another neighbouring country.

Check live traffic information before longer journeys

SANRAL's i-TRAFFIC service provides current information for several major road regions.

• Live traffic information is available for Gauteng.
• KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape are also covered.
• The service includes traffic conditions, cameras and travel-time information on participating routes.
• Check road conditions before setting out where severe weather, roadworks or major holiday traffic may affect the journey.

Before returning the hire car

• Confirm the exact branch or airport return location.
• Refuel or recharge according to the rental agreement.
• Keep the final fuel receipt if required.
• Allow additional time for traffic around Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other major cities.
• Confirm how any outstanding conventional toll charges will be handled.
• Remove personal belongings and check the glovebox, door pockets and luggage area.
• Consider photographing the vehicle, mileage and fuel or battery level at return.
• Keep the rental paperwork until the deposit or card pre-authorisation has been released.

About Car Hire Trawler

Car Hire Trawler is an independent car hire comparison website. The search and booking journey is powered by CarTrawler, with vehicles supplied by the rental provider selected when booking.

Official and reliable driving information for South Africa

Traffic rules, toll tariffs, road conditions and enforcement arrangements can change. The links below were opened and checked when this page was reviewed.

• South African Department of Tourism: road and travel safety tips
• South African Government: National Road Traffic Act
• SANRAL: official toll-road and toll-payment information
• SANRAL: end of Gauteng e-tolls
• SANRAL i-TRAFFIC: live traffic and road information
• South African Government News Agency: current drink-driving law and proposed zero-alcohol policy
• Western Cape Government: South African emergency numbers
• GOV.UK: road travel and driving safety in South Africa
• GOV.UK: emergency services in South Africa

Last reviewed: 28 September 2026.