“Double disc” is slang, not an official term. Neither the Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025 nor the platform requirement pages define it. In practice, drivers use it for a vehicle that has a valid operating licence on top of its ordinary vehicle licence, so it may legally carry fare-paying passengers.
The legal substance is therefore the operating licence issued for the vehicle, plus a driving licence and professional driving permit (PrDP) for the driver. Below is what the regulations and the platforms actually require.
Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance
For e-hailing, the double disc requirements come down to these items.
- A platform provider registered with the National Public Transport Regulator
- An operating licence issued for the vehicle you use
- A valid driving licence and PrDP for the driver, as the National Road Traffic Act requires
- A SAPS criminal record report and a declaration of no pending criminal investigations, submitted with the licence application
- A panic button fitted to the vehicle, and the vehicle marked with the operator’s details
- The ordinary vehicle licence that every car on the road needs
Licence and Eligibility Requirements
E-hailing may only be provided where the platform provider is registered with the National Public Transport Regulator and an operating licence has been issued for the vehicle (regulation 13, in force since 12 September 2025). The operating licence is issued for the vehicle. The PrDP is held by the driver. Neither replaces the other.
Before issuing the operating licence, the regulatory entity must be satisfied that the driver holds a driving licence and PrDP as the National Road Traffic Act requires. The Act also provides that nobody may drive a vehicle for which an operator is registered except under the conditions of a permit (see the National Road Traffic Act, section 32).
Operators who already held licences before the regulations had to apply to convert them within 180 days of 12 September 2025, which was around 11 March 2026. Ask your provincial regulatory entity about your position if you are unsure whether your licence was converted.
Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements
The regulations require panic buttons that connect to a private security or tracking provider and are tested at least once a month. The vehicle must also carry the operator’s name and business address on both front doors while it provides the service.
Platforms add their own vehicle rules. Uber Go, for example, takes a hatchback or sedan with a model year 12 years or newer (2014 is the oldest eligible year in 2026), ABS, driver and passenger airbags, good condition with no cosmetic damage, and a maximum of two passengers besides the driver. Uber does not require a Roadworthy Certificate, and considers only its own Dekra and Scans AI inspection reports. That is Uber’s rule, not a legal statement about roadworthy testing, so ask your regulatory entity whether it requires one for the operating licence. Check the current Uber vehicle requirements because platforms update them.
Confirm in writing with your insurer that your policy covers carrying fare-paying passengers.
Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence
For the operating licence application, expect to provide:
- The completed Form 1B from the National Land Transport Regulations, 2009
- The supporting documents and application fee set by the regulatory entity
- A copy of the agreement or terms you accepted with the platform provider
- A SAPS criminal record report and a declaration of no pending criminal investigations
- Your driving licence and PrDP
For Uber Go, the driver documents are a profile photo, Safety Screening results and a valid South African PrDP, and the vehicle needs a virtual inspection report from Scans AI (see Uber’s driver requirements). For PrDP details, see PDP requirements.
Registration or Application Process
- Choose a platform provider that is registered with the National Public Transport Regulator.
- Complete Form 1B and gather the documents listed above.
- Lodge the application with your provincial regulatory entity, with the application fee.
- Fit the panic button and mark the vehicle before you operate.
The fee amount, how long the licence lasts and how long a new application takes are not published in the regulations, so ask your regulatory entity. For existing licences being converted, the regulator must decide within 60 days (regulation 14).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a double disc?
It is an informal term and is not defined in the regulations. It is commonly used for a vehicle that has an operating licence as well as its normal vehicle licence. The official requirement is the e-hailing operating licence issued for the vehicle.
What is double disc?
The same thing. Official sources speak of an operating licence issued for the vehicle under the Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025, not a “double disc”.
Do I need an operating licence for e-hailing?
Yes. E-hailing may only be provided where the platform is registered with the National Public Transport Regulator and an operating licence has been issued for the vehicle.
Does the operating licence transfer with the vehicle?
The licence is issued for a specific vehicle. Transfer rules are not set out in the regulations, so confirm with the provincial regulatory entity before buying a vehicle on that basis.
Can I use someone else’s operating licence?
The licence is issued for the vehicle, so it does not cover another car. Do not operate on a licence issued for a different vehicle, and confirm any arrangement with the regulatory entity first.
Confirm operating licence requirements with your provincial regulatory entity. See rideshare driver requirements and browse all driving and transport requirements.