inDrive’s South Africa driver page says you must be at least 25 years old, with at least 3 years’ driving experience for category B. You need a valid driver’s licence and your vehicle registration certificate, and you register through the inDrive app. Under the e-hailing regulations, you also need a PrDP and an operating licence issued for the vehicle.
Always confirm the current criteria in the app, because inDrive’s own pages are not fully consistent (a general help page lists a minimum age of 18).
Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance
- Age: at least 25 on inDrive’s South Africa driver page. Its general help page gives 18, so confirm in the app
- Experience: category B at least 3 years; category D at least 5 years. Minibus drivers need a transport licence
- A valid driver’s licence and the vehicle registration certificate
- A vehicle that is your own or rented in your name, minimum 4-door with 5 to 8 seats including the driver’s, and not salvage, non-repairable or rebuilt
- Under the regulations: a PrDP and an operating licence issued for the vehicle
Licence and Eligibility Requirements
inDrive describes the licence requirement as a valid driver’s licence for your location, with the experience periods above. The law adds more. 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. The regulatory entity must also be satisfied that the driver holds a driving licence and PrDP (regulations 13 and 19 of the Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025).
A platform account is not a substitute for the operating licence. Confirm the current requirements with your provincial regulatory entity.
Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements
inDrive’s car requirements page asks for a minimum 4-door car with 5 to 8 seats, including the driver’s, that is not salvage, non-repairable or rebuilt. It names no specific models, and it says the maximum vehicle age depends on your location, so check the app for the figure that applies to you.
The regulations also require panic buttons that connect to a private security or tracking provider and are tested at least once a month, and the vehicle must carry the operator’s name and business address on both front doors while providing the service.
Use the in-app safety features, share trips with someone you trust, and keep trips on the platform so there is a record if something goes wrong. Never resist a hijacking or robbery; comply, get to safety, then report to the police and the platform and keep the case number.
Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence
- Your valid driver’s licence
- The vehicle registration certificate
- A valid PrDP, which the regulations require for the driver
- The operating licence issued for the vehicle, which the regulations require
inDrive says the document list varies by location, so upload whatever the app asks for. For PrDP details, see our PrDP requirements guide.
Registration or Application Process
- Select Driver mode in the inDrive app and open the side menu.
- Tap Online registration.
- Upload the requested documents.
- Wait for the team to approve them. Once approved, you can start accepting ride requests.
Registration steps come from inDrive’s how to become a driver page; see also inDrive’s driver page. The operating licence is applied for separately with the provincial regulatory entity, using Form 1B with the supporting documents and fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refuse a trip?
Yes. Areas, times, group size and anything that does not feel right are legitimate grounds. If a platform penalises declining, weigh that when choosing where to work.
Why keep trips on the platform?
An off-app trip has no record, no support and no trace afterwards. A request to arrange a trip off the app is itself a warning sign.
Where are drivers most exposed?
At pickup and drop-off: driveways, complexes, dead ends and unlit streets. Do not enter an enclosed space you cannot leave, and keep the vehicle facing out.
What should I do in a hijacking?
Do not resist. The vehicle and phone are replaceable. Comply, get out of the situation, then report to the police and the platform and keep the case number.
Can a learner driver drive with passengers in South Africa?
A learner’s licence holder may drive only while supervised by a licensed driver. If the vehicle category needs a PrDP, the supervising driver must also hold one (see the government learner’s licence page). The National Road Traffic Act exempts a learner from the PrDP requirement only while accompanied by a registered professional driver. A learner therefore cannot work as an e-hailing driver alone.
Can learner drivers drive with passengers?
Only under supervision by a licensed driver, who must also hold a PrDP where the vehicle category requires one. A learner cannot carry fare-paying passengers alone. A learner’s licence is valid for 24 months and cannot be extended.
Confirm the current requirements in the inDrive app and with your provincial regulatory entity. See rideshare driver requirements and browse all driving and transport requirements.