Vehicle requirements in South Africa
Which car is right for you? Make sure it meets the vehicle requirements in South Africa, and remember that you’ll make more money if you keep your costs low.
Update for Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria & Durban:
- Hatchbacks will be accepted on UberNam
- Minimum vehicle year increased to 2011+ for UberNam
- Minimum vehicle year decreased to 2017+ for UberX
- ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted to all vehicles
- As from 18 November 2020, ONLY hatchbacks, small sedans (such as Etios, Dzire and Brio models) or large sedans older than 2017 will be activated.
Uber reserves the right to update the eligibility criteria of vehicles as they relate to different products at any time, in its sole discretion and without prior notice.
Your vehicle must-haves
- Model year 2011 or newer
- 5-door hatchback or 4-door sedan or minivan
- ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted
- Good condition with no cosmetic damage
Documentation Needed
- Operators Card (Double disk)
- Commercial vehicle insurance
- Vehicle inspection in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Durban
- Vehicle certificate of registration
- Operating License from the department of transport
- In Cape Town? Please provide your Vehicle Owner ID and Proof of Parking.
Vehicle Definitions
- Small Sedans weigh less than 1.1 tons and have stated fuel economies of less than 6L/100km (examples: Toyota Etios, Honda Brio, Suzuki Dzire are considered small sedans)
- Large Sedans are vehicles typically weigh more than 1.1 tons and have fuel economy of more than 6.5 L/100km (Examples: Toyota Corolla, Kia Rio, Nissan Almera)
- Luxury Sedans are premium vehicles (examples: BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4)
Eligible vehicles list
Find the vehicle makes and models that are eligible to drive with Uber in your city.
Vehicle options in South Africa
UberX
You can use most recent models to drive with uberX in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Additional requirements
- 4-door sedan in good condition
- Large sedans which are 2017 and newer
- Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
- Working windows and air conditioning
- No hatchbacks
- No full-sized vans or trucks
- No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
- ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted
Click the link below to view popular uberX vehicles.
- Popular models
Make Models Chevrolet Aveo, Cruze, Optra, Sonic Honda Accord, Ballade, Civic Suzuki Ciaz Ford Focus, Ikon Mazda Mazda3, Mazda6 Nissan Almera, Sentra, Tiida Toyota Corolla, Etios Volkswagen Jetta, Polo Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Sonata Kia Cerato, Rio Renault Fluence
UberXL
Seat extra passengers and charge higher fares with a higher-capacity vehicle in Cape Town and Durban.
Additional requirements
- 4-door SUV or minivan with independently opening doors
- Seat at least 6 passengers in addition to the driver
- Working windows and air conditioning
- No full-sized vans or trucks
- No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
- ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted
Most SUVs qualify to drive with uberXL. See our list of popular models, but others may qualify.
- Popular models
Make Models Honda Mobilio Toyota Avanza Suzuki Ertiga Nissan Grand Livina
Uber Black
Charge higher fares with a mid-tier luxury sedan in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town
Additional requirements
- Model year 2014 or newer
- Leather or vinyl interior with no tears
- Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
- Working windows and air conditioning
- No full-sized vans or trucks
- No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
- ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted
Click the link below to view popular Uber Black vehicles.
- Popular models
Make Models Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, S-Class Audi A4, A6 BMW 3-series, 5-series, 7-series
Uber Van
Drive with Uber Van in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Additional requirements
- 4-door minivan with independently opening doors
- Seat at least 7 passengers in addition to the driver
- Working windows and air conditioning
- No full-sized vans or trucks
- No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
- ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted and in working order
- Accepted vehicles
Make Models Volkswagen Kombi Hyundai H-1 Mercedes-Benz Viano, Vito Opel Vivaro
UberNam
Most hatchback and sedans vehicles qualify to drive with UberNam.
Additional requirements
- Accepted vehicles:
- 5-door hatchbacks (min year 2013)
- 4-door sedans (min year 2011)
- Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
- Working windows and air conditioning
- No full-sized vans or trucks
- No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
View our list of popular models.
*NO Renault Kwid, Datsun Go, GWM models will be allowed
- Accepted vehicles
Make Models Ford Figo (hatchback) VW Polo (hatchback), Polo Vivo (hatchback) Honda Brio Toyota Yaris, Etios, Etios (hatchback) Suzuki Dzire, Celerio (hatchback) Renault Megane Kia Picanto Mazda Mazda3 Nissan Micra Hyundai i10, i20
Vehicle on-boarding guidelines
How does the waiting list work?
In the interest of fairness, the ‘waiting list’ process has been amended to prioritize vehicle on-boarding based on the date of sign up.
Therefore it is no longer necessary to join the waiting list yourself, as you will be automatically entered based on the date of sign up to Uber.
- Prioritization of adding vehicle
You are automatically entered to add your vehicle based on day of sign up, and activations will be prioritised as follows:
- Date of Signup - first to last
- Driver Status - driving for yourself or not
- Vehicle Status - number of vehicles already on-boarded
Although the waiting list has changed this does not mean that you will get an opportunity to add a vehicle any slower or faster than before.
*Active drivers have completed least one trip in the last 3 months and have a minimum of 1,000 lifetime trips
- Guidelines to limit the abuse of Uber Profiles and “slots” / “licenses”
When Uber first launched in South Africa, our mission included creating a fair, open and inclusive process for individuals to become driver-partners and access new economic opportunities. Four years later, this commitment has not changed. However, there are some individuals who have been using their Uber Profiles in a way that harms the fair and open process and restricts others from accessing the economic opportunity that comes with being a driver-partner.
In the spirit of fair and open access to the system, we have set out the following guidelines to limit the abuse of Uber Profiles and “slots” / “software licenses”.
You may not sell, rent or transfer your Uber profile or “slot” / “software license”, as this is against Uber Partnership Terms and Conditions.
- Software license violation
Your profile or software license will be permanently deactivated if your account is flagged for software license violation. If you believe that your account was incorrectly flagged, please visit http://t.uber.com/softwarelicense and report the matter within 14 days.
Vehicle solutions
No matter how you plan to drive, we can help you find a car that’s right for you. Discover the range of options available to you.
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Get support
Let’s make every Uber trip hassle-free. Our support pages can help you set up your account, get started with the app, adjust fares, and much more.
Contact Uber
Got questions? Get answers. Enjoy personal support at an Uber Greenlight Hub in in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Durban and other cities in South Africa.
Make more money
As well as driving passengers, you can also sign up to deliver food with Uber Eats. Find out more about how it works where you live.
Rewards
Reduce your costs and take home more of what you make in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Durban with driver discounts and rewards from Uber’s partners.
Partner Protection
Partner Protection helps protect you from the cost of accidents or life events, and is provided at no cost to all eligible independent driver partners.
The information provided on this web page is intended for informational purposes only and may not be applicable in your country, region, or city. It is subject to change and may be updated without notice.