Uber Black is Uber’s premium tier in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, using mid-tier luxury sedans. In South Africa the car must be a four-door luxury sedan that is 5 years old or newer, from BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus or Jaguar, with a leather or vinyl interior and no cosmetic damage.
You also need what any Uber driver needs: a valid South African PrDP, safety screening and a vehicle inspection report. Uber may change these criteria at any time, so check its vehicle requirements page before you buy a car.
Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance
- Cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
- Vehicle: mid-tier luxury four-door sedan, 5 years old or newer, seats four passengers besides the driver, working windows and air conditioning, ABS and airbags.
- Makes: BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Jaguar only. Uber publishes no model list.
- Interior: leather or vinyl, with no cosmetic damage.
- Driver: valid South African PrDP, safety screening results and a profile photo.
Uber’s page states the oldest eligible model year in 2026 inconsistently (2021 in one place, 2022 in another). Both say 5 years or newer, so confirm your car’s year with Uber before buying.
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, Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025, in force since 12 September 2025). Uber does not state a driver rating threshold or colour restriction for Black.
Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements
Black vehicles need a comprehensive vehicle inspection report from Dekra. Uber considers only Dekra and Scans AI reports and states that a Roadworthy Certificate is not required. Full-sized vans or trucks, taxi cabs, government or other marked vehicles, and salvaged or rebuilt vehicles are excluded.
Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence
Uber asks for a profile photo, safety screening results and a valid South African PrDP; see our guide to PDP requirements. A temporary PrDP certificate cannot be uploaded: complete a Driver Verification and upload that report. A permanent card can be used directly.
Only original documents are accepted; photocopies are refused. Upload your driver’s licence first, and one image or PDF at a time. See Uber’s required documents page.
Registration or Application Process
- Sign up online with Uber.
- Complete the safety screening at a PostNet or Jetline store or through a registered Huru or MIE partner, and upload both pages of the Huru result or one page of the MIE result.
- Upload your documents.
- Get a vehicle that meets the requirements, including the Dekra inspection for Black.
- Activate your account.
The operating licence is a separate application to the provincial regulatory entity on Form 1B, with the prescribed documents, the application fee and the platform agreement attached. Start at Uber South Africa’s driver requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles qualify for Uber Black?
A four-door luxury sedan, 5 years old or newer, from BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus or Jaguar, with a leather or vinyl interior and no cosmetic damage.
Where can I drive Uber Black in South Africa?
Uber offers it in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
Do I need a roadworthy certificate?
No. Uber states a Roadworthy Certificate is not required; it wants a Dekra inspection report for Black.
Do I need a higher rating or a specific colour?
Uber’s vehicle page states no driver rating or colour requirement for Black. Ask Uber support if you need to be sure.
Are the legal requirements different from other Uber tiers?
The legal requirements are the same for e-hailing generally: a registered platform provider and an operating licence for the vehicle. Uber Black adds only Uber’s own vehicle standards.
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.