Registering a car with Uber in South Africa has two parts: the car must pass an Uber inspection report, and it must have an e-hailing operating licence issued for that specific vehicle. Uber does not ask for a roadworthy certificate, but it only considers inspection reports from Dekra or Scans AI.
The platform side is set out on Uber’s vehicle requirements page and Uber’s document list. The legal side comes from the Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025, which took effect on 12 September 2025.
Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance
- An e-hailing operating licence issued for the vehicle you use, with the platform registered with the National Public Transport Regulator
- An Uber inspection report: a virtual inspection (Scans AI) for Uber Go, Go Electric and Mini, or a comprehensive inspection (Dekra) for Black, Comfort, XL and Van
- No Roadworthy Certificate: Uber states that one is not required
- Original documents only: Uber does not accept photocopies
- Vehicle markings on both sides of the front doors showing the operator’s name and business address, plus a working contact number
Licence and Eligibility Requirements
Under regulation 13 of the 2025 regulations, 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 used. The licence is granted per vehicle, so each car you want on the platform needs its own.
Uber’s South African pages do not set out rules for cars the driver does not own, such as company vehicles or financed cars. If the car is not in your name, ask Uber and your provincial regulatory entity how the vehicle and operator details must line up before you apply. If the car is financed, check your finance agreement for restrictions on commercial use.
Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements
Uber only considers inspection reports from Dekra and Scans AI. Which one you need depends on the product: Uber Go, Go Electric and Mini use the virtual Scans AI inspection, while Black, Comfort, XL and Van use the comprehensive Dekra inspection.
Regulation 26 of the 2025 regulations requires the vehicle to be marked on both sides of the front doors with the operator’s name and business address, plus a working contact number. Uber also states that it may change its vehicle criteria at any time, so check the vehicle requirements page before you pay for an inspection.
Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence
- Your driver’s licence, uploaded first
- The vehicle inspection report (Scans AI or Dekra, depending on the product)
- The vehicle’s registration and licence details as Uber’s app requests them
- The e-hailing operating licence for the vehicle
- The platform agreement, which must be attached to the operating licence application (Form 1B)
Upload one image or PDF at a time, and use originals: Uber refuses photocopied documents.
Registration or Application Process
- Check the product you want and confirm the vehicle meets Uber’s criteria on the vehicle requirements page.
- Apply to your provincial regulatory entity for the e-hailing operating licence on Form 1B, with the prescribed documents, the application fee and the platform agreement.
- Book the Dekra or Scans AI inspection that matches your product.
- Add the vehicle in the Uber driver app and upload your documents, driver’s licence first.
The provincial regulatory entity sets the fee and processing time for the operating licence, so ask it directly before you plan a start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Uber car registration requirements in South Africa?
The car needs a Dekra or Scans AI inspection report for its product and an e-hailing operating licence issued for that vehicle. Uber does not require a roadworthy certificate.
Does Uber require a roadworthy certificate?
No. Uber’s South African vehicle page says a Roadworthy Certificate is not required. It asks for an inspection report from Dekra or Scans AI instead.
Who holds the operating licence?
It is issued per vehicle by the provincial regulatory entity, and the platform agreement is submitted with the application. Ask the entity who must be named as operator if the car is owned by someone else or by a company.
Confirm current criteria with Uber and your licence application with your provincial regulatory entity. See rideshare driver requirements and browse all driving and transport requirements.