The permit that matters for e-hailing is the operating licence, and it is issued by the provincial regulatory entity, not by the app. Signing up on a platform without one leaves the vehicle liable to impoundment.
This page explains what the operating licence is, who applies for it, and how the pieces fit together.
Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance
What an e-hailing operator and driver generally need.
- An operating licence for the vehicle, issued by the provincial regulatory entity
- A vehicle registered and licensed with a valid licence disc
- A valid roadworthy certificate for the vehicle
- A driver with a valid South African driving licence
- A driver holding a professional driving permit in the passenger category, generally from age 21
- Insurance covering the carriage of passengers for reward
- A police clearance or background check for the driver
- A South African ID, or a passport with a permit authorising the work
- Compliance with the platform’s own vehicle and document requirements
Licence and Eligibility Requirements
The operating licence attaches to the vehicle and the route or area, and it is applied for by the vehicle owner or operator, not by a driver who is employed to drive. Under the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, carrying passengers for reward without one is unlawful.
Applications go to the provincial regulatory entity, generally through the municipal or provincial transport office, and the process differs by province. Confirm the current procedure with the provincial regulatory entity or your municipality’s transport department.
The vehicle can be impounded. Operating without a valid operating licence exposes the vehicle to impoundment and the operator to a fine. Recovering an impounded vehicle costs money and days of lost income, and the risk falls on whoever owns it.
The platform’s approval is not a permit. An app account is a commercial arrangement with a private company. It does not authorise you in law, and the two are frequently confused by new drivers.
A driver needs a passenger PrDP in addition to the ordinary driving licence, generally from age 21. That is the driver’s obligation and it is separate from the vehicle’s operating licence.
If you drive someone else’s vehicle, confirm the operating licence exists and is valid before you start. The driver at the roadside is the person who has to explain its absence.
Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements
The vehicle must be roadworthy and licensed, with a valid disc, and roadworthy testing is required in the circumstances the regulations prescribe. Passenger-carrying vehicles are treated more strictly than private ones.
Insurance must cover passengers carried for reward. A private motor policy almost always excludes it. Driving passengers on a private policy means that a serious accident produces an uninsured claim, and this is the most consequential gap in the sector.
Passenger safety obligations sit with the operator — a vehicle in safe condition, functioning seatbelts, and a driver who is licensed, permitted and fit to drive.
Driver safety is a genuine risk in this work, particularly at night and in areas where e-hailing operations are contested. Use the in-app safety features, share trip details, and do not accept trips into areas you judge unsafe. No fare is worth it.
Conflict with existing operators has been a real hazard in some areas. Know where those tensions exist locally, and treat local knowledge as a safety requirement rather than an inconvenience.
Inspect the vehicle regularly. Vehicles doing high daily mileage wear far faster — tyres and brakes weekly, not annually.
Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence
What is generally required for an operating licence application.
- The vehicle’s registration certificate, in the applicant’s name
- A valid roadworthy certificate
- A valid vehicle licence disc
- The applicant’s South African ID, or business registration documents for an entity
- Proof of residence or business address
- The prescribed application form in its current version
- Payment of the prescribed fee
- A tax clearance or tax number, where required
- Insurance covering the carriage of passengers for reward
Registration or Application Process
Apply to the provincial regulatory entity through the channel your province uses, and confirm the current requirements and fee before submitting. Requirements and processing times differ materially by province.
Expect the process to take time. Applications are considered rather than issued on demand, and there may be a waiting period. Plan for it rather than operating in the meantime.
Get the driver’s PrDP in parallel, since the passenger category has its own medical and police clearance requirements and its own processing time.
Sort out the insurance before the first trip, not after the first incident. Tell the insurer exactly what the vehicle will do and get the cover in writing.
Do the arithmetic before financing a vehicle. Fuel, maintenance, tyres, insurance, data, platform commission, depreciation and the finance instalment come out of the fares. Rates are set by the platform and can change; the instalment cannot.
Never buy a permit from an intermediary. Operating licences are issued by the regulatory entity on the prescribed requirements. A purchased document is worthless at a roadblock and after an accident.
Keep copies of every document in the vehicle and originals safe. Roadside checks are routine in this sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to drive e-hailing?
The vehicle needs an operating licence from the provincial regulatory entity, and the driver needs a passenger PrDP. The app account is not a permit.
Who applies for the operating licence?
The vehicle owner or operator, not an employed driver. If you drive someone else’s vehicle, confirm the licence exists and is valid before you start.
What happens without an operating licence?
Carrying passengers for reward without one is unlawful under the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, and the vehicle can be impounded at the owner’s cost.
Does my ordinary car insurance cover this?
Almost never. Private motor policies generally exclude carrying passengers for reward. Get cover for that use in writing before the first trip.
Operating licence requirements, application channels, fees and processing times are set under the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009 and administered by the provincial regulatory entities, and differ by province. Confirm current requirements with your provincial regulatory entity.