-
You are here:
Home
›
-
South Africa car rental
Cheap South Africa car rental tips and information
Although South Africa car rental transactions are
simple and easy, people often find themselves at a South Africa car hire counter, only to discover
that the car they had reserved is not available.
Often the price quoted on the phone does not include additional charges such as insurance, coverage
for an extra driver, refuelling fees etc.
Good planning and preparation is important, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and pitfalls as
much as possible.
Before renting a car, plan your journey or trip, so that it is clear how far and where you will be
driving and what kind of car would be most appropriate. This can make a big difference as most
visitors underestimate the size of our country. South Africa is roughly about twice the size of
Texas and driving across 3000 km without air conditioning can be very trying in our hot summer.
It will be a good idea to do some homework beforehand and get yourself informed and orientated about
the basic rules, conditions and requirements that go with South Africa car rental transactions. The
information on this page will help you achieve that.
Want to learn more? Use the menu below to get to
the information quickly:

Hartbeespoort Dam near Pretoria
copyright © South African tourism - Cheap South Africa Car Rental, Car Hire in South Africa Info
Popular rental cars,...
South Africa car rental companies offer a choice of cars that can be quite bewildering. Whether you are
budget and economy conscious, want to cruise across our country in comfort and luxury, or prefer a 4 x4
cross country adventure, They will have the vehicle you need.
The average South Africa car rental fleet consists of the following categories;
- Budget / Compact,... True budget travel with small and compact cars, yet comfortable. For groups of not more then 3 persons.
- Economy / Medium size,... Excellent value for money to take on the larger distances. For groups of not more then 4 persons.
- Mini vans / Motor homes,... Perfect for larger groups and families.
- 4 X 4 / Campers,... The best way to explore South Africa’s more remote interior and out-of-the-way places.
- Luxury,... All the comfort and style you want, to pamper yourself.
The following are some of the more popular car models available in the average South Africa car rental fleet;
|
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF CHICO
Budget – Compact
Seats: 4 (2 adults, 2 children)
Doors: 4 small, plus 1 luggage
Tank capacity: 55 litres
Transmission: Manual
No air-con or power steering
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF CHICO
Budget
Seats: 4 (4 adults)
Doors: 4 small, plus 1 luggage
Tank capacity: 55 litres
Transmission: manual
Radio /Tape: yes
No air-con or power steering
|
|
TOYOTA TAZZ
Budget
Seats: 4 (3 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 medium, plus 1 luggage
Tank capacity: 60 litres
Range: 545 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
No power steering
|
|
TOYOTA COROLLA
Economy - Medium size
Seats: 5 (4 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 ( 2 large, 2 medium)
Tank capacity: 60 litres
Range: 630 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes
|
|
NISSAN ALMERA
Economy - Medium size
Seats: 4 (4 adults)
Doors: 4 (2 large, 2 medium)
Tank capacity: 60 litres
Range: 620 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN POLO
Economy - Medium size
Seats: 4 (4 adults)
Doors: 4 (2 large, 2 small)
Tank capacity: 60 litres
Range: 620 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/tape: yes
Power steering: yes
|
|
TOYOTA CAMRY
Luxury
Seats: 5 (5 adults)
Doors: 4 (2 large, 2 medium)
Tank capacity: 72 litres
Range: 680 km
Transmission: Automatic
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
|
|
BMW 318i
Luxury
Seats: 5 (4 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 large
Tank capacity: 63 litres
Range: 652 km
Transmission: manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
MERCEDES BENZ C180
Luxury
Seats: 5 (4 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 large
Tank capacity: 62 litres
Range: 646 km
Transmission: Automatic
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
NISSAN 4X4 DOUBLE CAB
4x4
Seats: 5 (4 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Engine capacity: 2400 cc
Tank capacity: 92 litres
Range: 730 km
Transmission: Manual plus 4x4
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
TOYOTA CONDOR
Mini Van
Seats: 7 (4 adults plus 3 children)
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Engine capacity: 2000 cc
Tank capacity: 70 litres
Range: 610 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/tape: yes
Power steering: yes
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN CADDY
Mini Van
Seats: 5 adults
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Tank capacity: 65 litres
Range: 528 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN
Mini Van
Seats: 6 (4 adults plus 2 children)
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Tank capacity: 70 litres
Range: 610 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
MERCEDES VITO
Luxury Mini Van
Seats: 8 adults
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Tank capacity: 75 litres
Range: 600 km
Transmission: manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF CHICO
Budget – Compact
Seats: 4 (2 adults, 2 children)
Doors: 4 small, plus 1 luggage
Tank capacity: 55 litres
Transmission: Manual
No air-con or power steering
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF CHICO
Budget
Seats: 4 (4 adults)
Doors: 4 small, plus 1 luggage
Tank capacity: 55 litres
Transmission: manual
Radio /Tape: yes
No air-con or power steering
|
|
TOYOTA TAZZ
Budget
Seats: 4 (3 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 medium, plus 1 luggage
Tank capacity: 60 litres
Range: 545 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
No power steering
|
|
TOYOTA COROLLA
Economy - Medium size
Seats: 5 (4 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 ( 2 large, 2 medium)
Tank capacity: 60 litres
Range: 630 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes
|
|
NISSAN ALMERA
Economy - Medium size
Seats: 4 (4 adults)
Doors: 4 (2 large, 2 medium)
Tank capacity: 60 litres
Range: 620 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN POLO
Economy - Medium size
Seats: 4 (4 adults)
Doors: 4 (2 large, 2 small)
Tank capacity: 60 litres
Range: 620 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/tape: yes
Power steering: yes
|
|
TOYOTA CAMRY
Luxury
Seats: 5 (5 adults)
Doors: 4 (2 large, 2 medium)
Tank capacity: 72 litres
Range: 680 km
Transmission: Automatic
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
|
|
BMW 318i
Luxury
Seats: 5 (4 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 large
Tank capacity: 63 litres
Range: 652 km
Transmission: manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
MERCEDES BENZ C180
Luxury
Seats: 5 (4 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 large
Tank capacity: 62 litres
Range: 646 km
Transmission: Automatic
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
NISSAN 4X4 DOUBLE CAB
4x4
Seats: 5 (4 adults plus 1 child)
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Engine capacity: 2400 cc
Tank capacity: 92 litres
Range: 730 km
Transmission: Manual plus 4x4
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
TOYOTA CONDOR
Mini Van
Seats: 7 (4 adults plus 3 children)
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Engine capacity: 2000 cc
Tank capacity: 70 litres
Range: 610 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/tape: yes
Power steering: yes
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN CADDY
Mini Van
Seats: 5 adults
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Tank capacity: 65 litres
Range: 528 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN
Mini Van
Seats: 6 (4 adults plus 2 children)
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Tank capacity: 70 litres
Range: 610 km
Transmission: Manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
|
MERCEDES VITO
Luxury Mini Van
Seats: 8 adults
Doors: 4 large plus luggage door
Tank capacity: 75 litres
Range: 600 km
Transmission: manual
Air-con: yes
Radio/Tape: yes
Power steering: yes, plus ABS
Airbag: yes
|
<<
Top of Page
Car rental rates,...
Keep in mind that South Africa car rental rates are per 24 hr period from the time you sign the rental
contract until the return of the vehicle. Usually a grace period of one hour is allowed on the final return
of vehicle. After that you may be charged for an additional 24 hr period.
Most car rental rates do vary, depending on the level of insurance cover you take for the event of accident
damage and theft. This can be 100% Super Cover with zero excess payment, including Personal Accident Insurance.
For an easy and userfriendly way of comparing prices, go to
Car Rental South Africa. It's an independent company offering price comparisons of all the well known car rental companies in South Africa,
including the availability of rental cars in most of the destinations in the country.
Rental rate inclusions,...
The majority of South Africa car rental companies include the following in their daily rental rates.
This may vary between companies, so check carefully each time you rent a car.
- 100 % Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW)
- 100% Super Theft Loss Waiver (STLW)
- Personal Accident insurance (PAI)
- Zero liability excess
- Unlimited kilometres
- Airport and location surcharges
- Tourism Levy
- Maps and travel info
- Free mobile phone rental (Not including outgoing calls and insurance)
- Value added tax
<<
Top of Page
rental rate exclusions,...
The following charges and fees are generally excluded from car rental rates by South Africa car rental
companies. Again, this may vary and it’s important that you check carefully each time you rent a car
- Fuel deposit, to be refunded if you return the rental car with a full tank
- Mobile phone insurance and outgoing calls
- Contract fee
- Delivery and collections fees
- Drop off fees in cases of one way rentals
- Young driver surcharges
- Additional driver surcharges
- Administration fees for damage and theft claims and traffic offences
- Extension rates when you have extended the rental without approval
- Baby seats
Usually at the beginning of each car rental contract, South Africa car rental companies will take an
authorization on the client’s credit card to cover these charges. Final billing will be done at the end of
the rental contract when you return the vehicle.
<<
Top of Page

Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park in the Kalahari desert region
copyright © South African tourism - Cheap South Africa Car Rental, Car Hire in South Africa Info
Forms of payment,...
In general credit cards are the only form of payment accepted by South Africa car rental companies. For
them and for you it’s also the easiest and quickest way to secure payment of outstanding charges and excess
amounts. Debit cards, cash or cheques are not accepted. The credit card you present must be in the renters
name.
<<
Top of Page
Insurance requirements,...
South Africa car rental companies will hold you totally responsible for your rental vehicle in the
events of accident damage and theft. They will ask if you want to cover that liability. It will cost you
an additional fee. With many South Africa car rental companies it is included in the standard rental rate.
Usually there are two options, a standard waiver option and a super waiver option. Make sure that the one
you want is included.
The cover that you will be offered is usually the following;
- Collision damage waiver (CDW)..., Reduces your total responsibility
in the event of Accident damage to a predetermined fixed excess amount. This excess amount, which may vary
between South Africa car rental companies, should be specified on your rental contract.
- Super collision damage waiver (SCDW)..., Available at an
additional fee, further reduces the amount of excess that the renter is responsible for in the event of
accident damage. Many car rental companies will even cover you for 100% with the excess amount at zero.
- Theft loss waiver (TLW)..., Reduces your total
responsibility in the event of theft to a predetermined fixed excess amount. This excess amount, which may
vary between South Africa car rental companies, should be specified on your rental contract.
- Super theft loss waiver (STLW)..., Also available at an
additional fee, further reduces the amount of excess that the renter is responsible for in the event of
theft. Again, many car rental companies will cover you for 100% with the excess amount at zero.
- Personal accident insurance (PAI)..., Covers you for
accidental death and permanent disability, often including medical and hospital expenses. Chances are
good that you already have this cover in your personal insurance portfolio. You should check that.
Remember that you will most likely be driving an unfamiliar vehicle on the left-hand side of unfamiliar
busy roads with lots of new things to see and distract you. Make sure that you have peace of mind as far
as covering your liabilities are concerned.
Some factors that can negate all your cover are the following;
- Gross or criminal negligence
- No other vehicle involved in the collision unless exceptional circumstances apply.
- Unauthorized drivers - names not listed in the rental contract.
- Extending the rental without authorization.
- Not reporting damage to the rental company immediately.
- Not adhering to traffic, road and driving rules and regulations.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substances.
- Unsuitable driving or road conditions.
- Unauthorized border crossings.
- Not being able to produce the keys in the event of theft, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
- Not reporting exact details of the last known location of the vehicle prior to theft.
- Not reporting an accident or theft to the rental company within six hours.
<<
Top of Page
Driver’s licence requirements,...
You must be in possession of a valid unendorsed driver’s licence. Some South Africa car rental companies
accept an international drivers licence only. In South Africa however, it’s a legal requirement to carry
your original driver’s licence at all times whilst driving a vehicle. This must be a valid up-to-date
driver’s licence bearing your photograph and signature, issued by the country where you live and of which
you are a citizen.
Your international driver’s licence must be in English and where possible also your national one. To be
on the safe side and to avoid any problems, make sure that you are in possession of both, your
international driver’s licence as well as the one issued by the country where you live.
<<
Top of Page
Golden Gate Highlands national Park in the Free state province
copyright © South African tourism - Cheap South Africa Car Rental, Car Hire in South Africa Info
Minimum age requirement,...
Most of the larger South Africa car rental companies have a minimum age policy. It varies between
companies, but most of them put the minimum age for renting a car at 23 years. They do however offer
young drivers between the ages of 21 and 23 a surcharge option, whereby they can rent a car at an
additional fee, provided they have had their driver’s licence for more then 2 years.
This so called young drivers surcharge fee can vary between companies from R 80.00 to R 110.00 (South
African rands) per day. Sometimes it is as low as R50.00 per day, so shopping around a bit might save you
some money.
<<
Top of Page
Additional drivers,...
South Africa car rental companies will usually allow additional drivers to drive the rented car at the
cost of a one-time flat fee per driver. They have to be authorized by the car rental company and meet all
their requirements, the same as the renter. Their names must be registered and listed on the contract.
Make sure about that, because if an additional driver is not authorized and registered, the rental
contract can become nil and void, which means that your protection and insurance conditions will not
apply. Husband and wife are often allowed to drive the rental car at no extra costs. The one time
additional driver fee averages around R100.00 (South African Rands) per driver per rental.
<<
Top of Page
-
Home
›
-
South Africa car rental