Driving on the Left: Your South African Adventure Begins
If you’re planning to self-drive in South Africa – and you absolutely should be – you’re in for a treat. I’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the roads with ease.
First things first
In South Africa, they drive on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. Don’t worry if you’re not used to it – the pedals are in the same spot, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
Cash is King
While you can pay for almost everything by card in South Africa these days, you will still need cash – so hit the ATM as soon as you arrive. Note that most ATMs will charge you a fee to take out money on a foreign card, unfortunately. Last time I visited, Standard Bank did not charge a fee, so try to find one of their machines. A typical cash withdrawal fee can be ZAR 75 each time, so withdraw enough cash in one go. You can always use it instead of a card if you still have cash left over at the end of your stay.
On the subject of ATMs, you will usually be asked if you want to be charged in your local currency or Rand – always choose Rand as the exchange rates are awful – it’s just another scam for the bank to get more of your money. You will also be asked whether to use a Checking/Current account, Deposit/Savings account or Credit Card account (or similar terms). I don’t know if this actually makes any difference with a foreign card, but Checking/Current is what I always pick and what always works.
After having got your hands on your Rands, go and buy a coffee or something else so that you get some small change – you can also ask the cashier to give you specific notes and they usually are happy to help. I recommend having 3-4 x ten Rand notes on hand each day for petrol stations and car guards or other small tips and a few hundred Rand as backup. More on this in a minute.
Choosing Your Chariot: Manual or Automatic?
You can choose between manual and automatic cars. If you’re new to left-side driving or will be driving in remote areas, on gravel roads or mountain passes, consider spending a bit more for an automatic.
You won’t want to spend so much time gearing up and down, it’s enough just to focus on the road and finding ways around the potholes.
The road system is excellent and well-maintained, so a manual is fine if you prefer it and stick to cities and main roads.
Paperwork: Licences and Permits
If your licence is in English or has an English translation with a photo and signature, you won’t need an International Driving Permit. Check with me first – better safe than sorry! UK and EU/EEA (including Norwegian) licences are accepted without issue.
Oh, and you need to be at least 18 to drive in South Africa.
Renting Your Ride: What You Need to Know
The lead driver must have a credit card for the deposit. If the lead driver doesn’t have a credit card, consider having a passenger with a card as the lead driver. Most rentals come with Supercover insurance but expect a small excess.
Deposit amounts range from R4500 to R6630, plus an extra R1500 if renting a GPS or WiFi router. This will be refunded after you return your vehicle.
Choosing Your Rental Company: Tips and Tricks
I will arrange everything for you to ensure you get the best deal and the right vehicle for your trip. But should you decide to do this part yourself, here are some things to consider:
- Check if there’s unlimited mileage or a daily limit (usually 200 km).
- See if insurance is included.
- Find out exactly how much will be reserved on your card for the deposit – some companies will demand a small fortune.
- Think about luggage space – keep it all in the boot for safety.
- For long trips, a one-way rental might be worth the extra fee.
- Decide if you need a GPS unit or if you’ll use your mobile.
- Planning to cross borders? Check for any extra paperwork and fees.
Vehicle Pick-up: Take Your Time
When you pick up the vehicle, check for any damage and take photos of all sides. Ensure no damage is missed in the report. You usually get a PDF with the condition report via email. If you don’t have internet access (the car rental company will almost certainly have a free WiFi network) or prefer not to wait, ask for a paper version.
Navigation and Tolls: Finding Your Way
Most rental cars come with either a GPS or WiFi router. Use Google Maps in cities and towns, but rely on written directions in rural areas and game reserves. I will provide you with these if required for your particular trip.
Toll roads are common around Durban and Johannesburg but less so around Cape Town. Recently, rental car companies have stopped using electronic tags for tolls, so you need cash. Note that toll payments cannot be made with a foreign credit or debit card.
As an example of costs, I have driven thousands of kilometres on South African roads and the most I have used on tolls in one day behind the wheel was about ZAR 50 in total – this was in the East of the country and as mentioned before, you won’t need to worry much about tolls in and around Cape Town except for Chapman’s Peak and the Huguenot Tunnel.
Depending on your route, you may need to pay a small charge for ferries, scenic routes and tourist attractions – it’s best to assume that they won’t take cards.
Fuelling Up: Petrol Station Etiquette
Petrol is sold by the litre at full-service stations. Prices change monthly, but expect to pay between R13 and R16 per litre.
The attendants will fill up your car, clean your windows, and even check your oil and tyres if you’d like. A small tip of 10 Rand is always appreciated for fuel and windows, and I would suggest an extra 5-10 for additional services.
If in doubt, be generous – these are tiny sums for us visitors.
When you’re driving in remote places like the Wild Coast or Karoo there are very few petrol stations so always fill up when you can.
Car Guards: The South African Way of Parking
Most parking areas have “car guards” who request a tip for watching over your car. Again I recommend 10 Rand – cash, obviously – unless they are watching it all day or all night in which case bump it up.
Rules of the Road: Speed Limits
South Africa has high road accident rates, often due to speeding. Speed limits are generally 60 km/h in cities and 100-120 km/h on highways.
There are many speed cameras on even minor roads so keep an eye on those limits and drive safely.
Your rental car is equipped with a Telematics system which is able to note the speed that the car is travelling as well as its location etc. Exceeding the limit by more than 20 km/h will trigger warning SMS messages, with increasing severity.
The final warning states: “Should you continue contravening the legal speed limits you will be held liable for the full value of any damages caused. Kindly comply with all traffic laws and regulations.”
A Word About Signs. Well, 22 Words.
Most signs are in English, but you might spot some in Afrikaans too. For instance, “Kaapstad” is what they call Cape Town.
Uniquely South African Terminology
If someone tells you to turn at the “robot,” that’s just South African English for a traffic signal!
Driving Tips: Stay Safe and Courteous
- Always wear your seatbelt – it’s the law for everyone in the car.
- You’ll notice some uniquely South African driving customs. Trucks often drive partially on the shoulder to let you pass – it’s technically illegal but common practice. When you do pass, flash your hazards as a ‘thank you’, and they’ll flash their high beams back as a ‘you’re welcome’.
- If someone flashes their hazards at you, they are showing gratitude for your driving.
- Always keep your distance from the vehicle in front.
- You may see examples of reckless driving – but don’t copy it.
Wildlife and Night Driving: Better Safe Than Sorry
Avoid driving at night, especially in rural areas. There’s a risk of encountering wildlife on the roads, and pedestrians often walk along roadsides, even on freeways.
Timing Your Trip: Allow Extra Time
When planning your journey, add about 15-20% to Google Maps’ time estimates for breaks and potential delays like slow-moving trucks. Starting early in the morning is always a good idea.
In Case of Emergency: What to Do
If you have an accident, contact the car rental company immediately. Instructions on who to contact are in the vehicle. If the car is drivable, you’ll be directed to the nearest AA-approved garage. If not, they’ll arrange for an authorised towing company to collect the car and provide a replacement.
When you return home, you might find the excess charged to your credit card if the damage was extensive, along with a claim handling fee, towing fee, and assessor’s fee if applicable.
Do not contact a breakdown company and assume the rental company will cover the bill
They work with authorised garages around the country. If you pay for a towing company, the cost will be yours. If you’ve been driving recklessly, your Super Cover insurance may be invalid. Excessive speeding or attempting to drive through rivers(!) can result in repair bills exceeding the contracted excess.
Additional Charges: What to Expect
You might see some extra charges on your card after your trip..
Expect direct charges for:
- Delivery or collection fees if you opted for this service, more so if after hours or beyond 25km from the nearest rental office.
- One-way drop-off fees and cross-border fees.
- Refuelling charge, including petrol cost and a R40 admin fee.
- Speeding fines, plus an admin fee.
- Less common charges for services like valet if the car is very dirty or extra equipment like baby seats or bike racks.
Including these items in your rental can complicate billing, leading to potential double-charging and post-holiday refunds. Paying directly post-trip often costs less as the company will also charge an admin fee if included.
There you have it – your guide to self-driving in South Africa! Remember, South Africa has some of the most beautiful roads in the world, so take your time and enjoy the journey. Safe travels!