To drive for inDrive in South Africa you need to meet inDrive’s own driver and vehicle criteria, and the vehicle must also have an e-hailing operating licence. inDrive’s South African driver page sets a minimum age and a minimum number of years of driving experience, and its vehicle rules cover the number of doors and seats, the vehicle’s title history and ownership.
The exact limits, including the maximum vehicle age for your location, are shown in the app when you register, so check them there before you spend money on documents or a vehicle.
Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance
Before registering, check that you can satisfy the following.
- A valid driver’s licence, with the minimum age and years of driving experience inDrive sets for your licence category
- A vehicle registration certificate for the car you will drive
- A vehicle that is your own or rented in your name
- A vehicle that meets inDrive’s door, seat, title and age criteria for your location
- An e-hailing operating licence for the vehicle, issued by the provincial regulatory entity
- A transport licence if you will drive any kind of minibus
Licence and Eligibility Requirements
inDrive’s inDrive South Africa driver page sets a minimum age for drivers and requires a minimum period of driving experience, with a longer period for category D drivers than for category B drivers. inDrive’s general help pages mention a lower minimum age than the South African page, so rely on the South African criteria and confirm the current figures in the app when you register.
Drivers of any kind of minibus must have a transport licence. If you are not a South African citizen, confirm with the Department of Home Affairs that you are allowed to work in South Africa; the platform accepting your documents does not settle the legal question.
Whether a professional driving permit (PrDP) is required for e-hailing is set by regulation, not by inDrive, and inDrive’s driver pages do not list one. Ask your provincial licensing authority whether it applies to you before you apply for an operating licence. See PDP requirements.
Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements
inDrive’s car requirements, which also cover the question of what cars inDrive accepts in South Africa, are on its car requirements help page. In summary:
- The car must have at least four doors and a set range of seats including the driver’s
- It must not be titled as salvage, non-repairable or rebuilt
- You must be using your own vehicle, or one rented in your name
- The maximum vehicle age (year of production) depends on your location and is shown when you choose your location during registration
Under the National Land Transport Amendment Act and its e-hailing regulations, gazetted on 12 September 2025, each e-hailing vehicle must be branded or carry a sign showing it is an e-hailing vehicle, and panic buttons must be installed. Read the Department of Transport statement on the e-hailing regulations for the detail.
Ask your insurer in writing whether your policy covers carrying fare-paying passengers. Ordinary private cover often does not, and the platform pages do not settle that question.
Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence
inDrive asks you to upload photos of the documents below, and the requirements can vary by location.
- Your valid driver’s licence
- The vehicle registration certificate
- Any further documents the app asks for when you choose your location
Keep your operating licence and, if your provincial authority requires one, your PrDP ready as well. The regulatory entity checks compliance before an operating licence is issued, and the statement above says drivers need the requisite documents. Ask your provincial licensing authority exactly which documents apply to you.
Registration or Application Process
You register inside the app, following the steps on inDrive’s how to become a driver page.
- Select Driver mode in the inDrive app and open the side menu.
- Choose online registration.
- Upload the documents requested.
- Wait for approval; after approval you can accept rides.
The operating licence is separate from inDrive registration. Provincial Regulatory Entity offices check compliance when they process each application, and only then can an operating licence be issued. The standard operating licence application fee applies; ask your provincial office for the amount and the processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the inDrive car requirements in South Africa?
The car must have at least four doors and a set range of seats including the driver’s, must not be titled salvage, non-repairable or rebuilt, and must be yours or rented in your name. The maximum age depends on your location and is shown during registration. Legally it also needs an operating licence, branding and a panic button.
What is the inDrive age requirement?
inDrive’s South African driver page sets a minimum age higher than the general minimum quoted on its other help pages. Use the South African criteria and confirm the current figure in the app.
How much driving experience do I need?
inDrive requires a minimum number of years of driving experience, longer for category D drivers than for category B drivers. The current figures are on the inDrive driver page.
Do I need an operating licence?
Yes. E-hailing vehicles need an operating licence, issued after a Provincial Regulatory Entity checks compliance.
Do I need a PrDP for inDrive?
inDrive’s driver pages do not list one. Whether regulation requires a PrDP for e-hailing is a question for your provincial licensing authority, so confirm it before applying.
Does inDrive accept rented cars?
Yes, if the car is rented in your name.
Confirm driver and vehicle criteria with inDrive on the inDrive South Africa driver page and licensing with your provincial regulatory entity. See rideshare driver requirements and browse all driving and transport requirements.