Uber vehicle requirements depend on the service you drive. For 2026, Uber Go takes cars 12 years old or newer (2014 or later), UberX sedans 8 years or newer (2019 or later), Comfort 5 years or newer (2022 or later), and XL/Van 8 years or newer (2019 or later). Black accepts only certain luxury makes. All need ABS, airbags and an Uber-approved inspection. The full list is on Uber’s vehicle requirements page.
The law adds its own requirements for e-hailing vehicles: an operating licence, a panic button and operator marking. Uber can change its vehicle criteria at any time without notice, so check its page before you buy a car.
Driver or Vehicle Requirements at a Glance
- Uber Go: 5-door hatchback or sedan, 12 years old or newer (2014 or later in 2026), seats a maximum of 2 passengers plus the driver
- UberX: 4-door sedan, 8 years old or newer (2019 or later), seats at least 4 passengers plus the driver, working windows and air conditioning, no hatchbacks
- Uber Comfort: 4-door sedan, SUV or Premium MPV, 5 years or newer (2022 or later), seats at least 4 passengers plus the driver, working windows and air conditioning
- Uber XL and Van: 5-door MPV or Premium MPV, 8 years or newer (2019 or later)
- Uber Black: mid-tier luxury sedan in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town only, from BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus or Jaguar, with a leather or vinyl interior
- ABS and driver and passenger airbags on all of the above
Licence and Eligibility Requirements
The driver needs a valid South African PrDP for Uber. The e-hailing regulations also require the regulatory entity to be satisfied that the driver holds the relevant driving licence and PrDP under the National Road Traffic Act before it issues the vehicle’s operating licence. Uber Comfort additionally requires highly rated drivers, with a minimum rating of 4.9. See our Uber driver requirements page for the driver side.
Vehicle, Inspection and Safety Requirements
Vehicles must be in good condition. Go, Comfort and XL/Van vehicles must have no cosmetic damage, which Uber defines as damage with no effect on structure or function, such as paint scratches, scraped bumpers or dings. Taxi cabs, government cars, other marked vehicles, full-sized vans or trucks, and salvaged or rebuilt vehicles are not accepted.
Inspection: Go, Go Electric and Mini need a virtual inspection report (Scans AI); Black, Comfort, XL and Van need a comprehensive DEKRA report. Uber says only its own DEKRA and Scans AI reports are considered and a Roadworthy Certificate is not required.
The Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025 require a panic button before an e-hailing operating licence is issued. It must connect to a private security or tracking provider and be tested at least monthly. The vehicle must also carry the operator’s name and business address on both sides of the front doors, and a working contact number, whenever it provides the service.
Uber’s page is not consistent on a few details: the Go door count (4 or 5) and the Black cut-off year (2021 or 2022). Check the current wording on Uber’s page before relying on either.
Documents, PrDP or Supporting Evidence
For the vehicle, Uber requires an inspection report: Scans AI for Go, Go Electric and Mini, DEKRA for Black, Comfort, XL and Van. For the driver, the required documents page lists a profile photo, Safety Screening results and a valid South African PrDP. Upload originals only; Uber does not accept photocopies.
For the operating licence, the regulatory entity expects the specified documents and fee on Form 1B, a SAPS Criminal Record Report on the driver, a declaration of no pending criminal investigations and a copy of the agreement or terms accepted with the platform.
Registration or Application Process
- Sign up online at Uber’s South Africa requirements page
- Complete a Safety Screening at a PostNet or Jetline store or a registered Huru/MIE partner
- Upload your documents
- Get a vehicle that meets the requirements for your service, with the inspection report
- Activate your account
The e-hailing operating licence is applied for separately, to the regulatory entity. Operators with licences issued before the regulations had 180 days from 12 September 2025 to apply to convert them, and that window has passed. The regulator must decide conversions within 60 days. Ask your regulatory entity for the operating licence fee and processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the vehicle requirements for Uber in South Africa?
It depends on the service: Go 2014 or later, UberX sedan 2019 or later, Comfort 2022 or later, XL/Van 2019 or later (2026 figures), all with ABS and airbags and an Uber-approved inspection. Black accepts only BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Jaguar in three cities.
Do I need an operating licence?
Yes. The regulations allow e-hailing only where the platform provider is registered with the National Public Transport Regulator and an operating licence has been issued for the vehicle.
Will my normal car insurance cover me?
Uber’s vehicle pages set no insurance rule. Ask your insurer in writing whether your policy covers e-hailing use.
Where do I find the vehicle requirements?
On Uber’s vehicle requirements page. It lists each service, and Uber says it may update the criteria at any time.
Is a roadworthy certificate required?
Uber says no. It considers only inspection reports from DEKRA and Scans AI.
Confirm vehicle criteria with Uber and operating licence, panic button and marking rules with your regulatory entity (see the Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025). See rideshare driver requirements and browse all driving and transport requirements.