Last updated: April 2026
Driving in South Africa: What You Need to Know
Before you rent a car in South Africa, here are the essential driving facts:
| Drive Side | Left |
|---|---|
| International Driving Permit | Required |
| Speed Limit (Motorway) | 120 km/h |
| Average Fuel Price | ZAR 24/L |
| Minimum Rental Age | 23+ |
Sources: Arrive Alive (SA Road Safety) · South Africa Tourism — Driving
💡 Insider Tip
Choose well-lit, secured parking and avoid driving after dark in unfamiliar areas.
Best Cities for Car Hire in South Africa
South African rentals operate mainly through the Cape Town and Johannesburg airports, each gateway to entirely different regions — Garden Route and wine country from CPT, Kruger and the Drakensberg from JNB.
Cape Town offers world-class driving — Chapman's Peak Drive clings to cliffs above the Atlantic, the...
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Car hire in Johannesburg →Best Time to Rent a Car in South Africa
South African rental prices peak during the December school holidays (the entire month, with Christmas–New Year being the absolute peak), Easter, and the July school holidays. Cape Town specifically spikes during the November–March summer tourism season when European visitors arrive. The cheapest months are May, June, and August — pleasant weather and rates can drop to ZAR 350–500 per day for a compact car versus ZAR 800–1200 in peak December. Major events that push prices up include the Cape Town Cycle Tour in March, the Two Oceans Marathon at Easter, and the Comrades Marathon in June. Booking 4–6 weeks ahead is essential during December–January when both Johannesburg and Cape Town fleets sell out. Note that fuel prices change monthly in South Africa based on government regulation — check current rates before estimating trip costs.
Common Rental Mistakes to Avoid in South Africa
Carjacking risk in Johannesburg is genuine — never stop at deserted intersections after dark, keep doors locked at all traffic lights ('robots'), and avoid isolated petrol stations at night. Cape Town is significantly safer but basic precautions still apply. Second, the rental insurance offered at South African counters often has very high excesses — typically ZAR 25,000–50,000 — and the daily 'super cover' upsell at ZAR 200+ is among the most aggressive in the world. Verify whether your travel insurance covers South Africa before paying. Third, gravel road damage and tyre damage are usually excluded from CDW — and many of South Africa's best destinations (the Cederberg, parts of the Wild Coast) require gravel driving. Finally, never leave anything visible in a parked car anywhere in the country, including tourist attractions and shopping mall parking lots.