Uber South Africa’s published vehicle requirements do not list bakkies. The accepted vehicles are hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs, and full-sized vans or trucks are excluded. Whether a single-cab or double-cab bakkie can be added is not stated, so do not buy or finance a bakkie for Uber until Uber confirms it for your city.
This page sets out what Uber does publish, what the law requires of any e-hailing vehicle, and how to check before you commit. Uber also states that it may change vehicle eligibility criteria at any time, so use the vehicle requirements page as the final word.
Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance
- Accepted vehicle types on Uber’s South African page: hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs. Bakkies and pickups are not mentioned.
- Not accepted: full-sized vans or trucks, taxi cabs, government cars or other marked vehicles, and salvaged or rebuilt vehicles.
- Every Uber product tier requires ABS and driver and passenger airbags.
- Uber Go, for example, takes a hatchback or sedan that is 12 years old or newer (the oldest eligible model year in 2026 is 2014), in good condition with no cosmetic damage.
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 you use. This comes from regulation 13 of the Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025, in force since 12 September 2025.
Those regulations cover passenger e-hailing. They do not tell you what licence, if any, a bakkie needs for carrying customers’ goods, so ask your provincial regulatory entity before you operate a bakkie commercially.
Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements
Uber does not require a Roadworthy Certificate. It considers only inspection reports from Dekra and Scans AI: Uber Go, Go Electric and Mini use a virtual inspection by Scans AI, while Black, Comfort, XL and Van products use a comprehensive Dekra inspection. Details are on Uber’s vehicle requirements page.
Because bakkies are not on the list, you cannot assume a bakkie would pass any of these inspections. Ask Uber support which product, if any, would accept your exact vehicle.
Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence
Uber South Africa asks drivers for a profile photo, safety screening results and a valid South African Professional Driving Permit (PrDP). A temporary PrDP certificate cannot be uploaded directly; you must complete a Driver Verification and upload the resulting report, whereas a permanent PrDP card can be used. See the required documents page for the full list. Photocopies are not accepted.
Registration or Application Process
Drivers sign up through Uber, complete the safety screening and upload their documents. Separately, the e-hailing operating licence is applied for with the provincial regulatory entity on Form 1B, with the prescribed documents, the application fee and the platform agreement attached, as set out in the Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025. Start with Uber South Africa’s driver requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a bakkie for Uber?
Uber’s South African vehicle page lists hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs and excludes full-sized vans or trucks. It does not mention bakkies, so neither assume it is allowed nor that it is banned. Ask Uber before you register one.
Is a roadworthy certificate required?
No. Uber states that a Roadworthy Certificate is not required. It requires an inspection report from Dekra or Scans AI instead, depending on the product.
Do I need a PrDP?
Uber South Africa asks for a valid South African PrDP as part of its documents, along with safety screening results and a profile photo.
What does the law require for an e-hailing vehicle?
The vehicle must have an operating licence, and the platform provider must be registered with the National Public Transport Regulator. Licence applications go to the provincial regulatory entity.
See rideshare driver requirements and browse all driving and transport requirements. Confirm current criteria with Uber South Africa and your provincial regulatory entity before you apply.