Uber South Africa vehicle requirement, driver requirements, eligible vehicles and amount of money to earn

Uber is one of the best online taxi companies in South Africa.If you have a car which you want to register with Uber, there are minimum requirements you should meet. Below are details about vehicle requirements, driver requirements and the type of vehicles which are eligible to install the App.

How to drive with Uber in South Africa

1. Sign up online

Got an email address and a smartphone? Great, now tell us a bit more about yourself and we’ll get you started.

2. Complete your Safety Screening

Screenings can be done at most Post Net OR Jetline Stores or registered Huru/MIE capture partner.

Driver Evaluations* are required in the following cities (bookings are required):

• Johannesburg & Pretoria
• Durban & Pietermaritzburg
• Cape Town

3. Upload your documents

Time for some paperwork. There are some of the documents we need to see:

• A valid South African Professional driving permit (PrDP)
• You have to be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Provide a driver profile photo
• Safety Screening Certificate
• Driving Evaluation Certificate (ONLY required in CPT, JHB and DBN)

4. Get a vehicle

5. Activate your account

If you’ve completed all the above steps, congratulations! You’re ready to activate your account and start making money.

Vehicle requirements in South Africa

Which car is right for you? Make sure your vehicle meets the requirements in South Africa by following the below requirements:

• Hatchbacks only will be accepted on UberGo.
• 4-door hatchbacks – 3 years old and newer (i.e. in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2020).
• 4-door sedans – 3 years old and newer (i.e. in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2020).
• ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted to all vehicles

Your vehicle must-haves

• Model year must be 8 years or newer (i.e. in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2015) – For UberBlack, UberVan, UberXL
• Model year must be 3 years or newer (i.e. in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2020) – For UberGo and UberX only
• 5-door hatchback or 4-door sedan or minivan
• ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted
• Good condition
• No cosmetic damage (What Is Cosmetic Damage? Cosmetic damage refers to damage that has had no impact on the structure or function of your vehicle. This damage could be paint scratches, scraped bumpers, or dings on the body. Cosmetic damage can be a result from rocks flying up, weather conditions, lightly bumping into something)

Documentation Needed

• Operators Card (Double disc)
• Commercial vehicle insurance
• Vehicle inspection can be completed at;

-Tiger Wheel and Tyre (TWT)  or -DEKRA

• Operating License application process from the department of transport Cape Town and Johannesburg & Pretoria

Uploading your documents

To drive using the Driver app in South Africa, you are required to upload certain documents to get your account set up. Refer to the information below when uploading each document.

Required documents

Driver documents

• SA Professional Driving license
• Proof of identification. You must be at least 21 years old.
• Screening check (available at ANY PostNet)
• Driving evaluation (ONLY CPT, JHB and DBN)
• Profile photo

Vehicle documents

• Operating Card (Double Disk)
• Uber vehicle inspection certificate (Only Dekra certificates will be accepted in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban)
• Comprehensive vehicle insurance cover
• Operating License, or Grant/Decision Letter, or an official Application Receipt (from the Department of Transport in Johannesburg, Pretoria or Cape Town)

Tips: uploading your documents

Make sure all required details are clearly visible

Ensure your document contains all required details before uploading. The entire document should be clearly visible.

Upload your driver’s licence first

This will speed up the approval process when we need to cross-check your licence with other documents.

Upload one image or PDF at a time

Original documents only

We do not accept photocopied documents, so please make sure you only upload original documents.

SA Professional Driving license

Upload a clear copy of your PrDP. You can either take a picture of your Card or your temporary license with a PrDP.

You’ll receive notifications when your Driving License is about to expire. You can update your PrDP through through the app.

If you are uploading your temporary PrDP: add your original driver’s license to your temporary driver’s license in order to be approved. To do this, take a picture of both on top of each other

Operating Card (Double Disk)

How to obtain this document:

• Visit your nearest roadworthy centre or DEKRA
• They will give you an extra form that you submit at the licensing department
• This document is obtainable at any Licensing Department and takes between 1-3 days to receive
• This document indicates that it is a commercial vehicle used to transport people
• If you do your roadworthy and vehicle inspection at DEKRA, an overall discount will be imposed.

Vehicle certificate of registration

How to obtain this document

• This document is obtained when you purchase and register the vehicle in your name.
• If this is a financed vehicle, the bank may hold the original document (Ask for a copy from the bank)

Tips to load this document

• The year of first registration as well as the license plate of the vehicle should be visible
• The vehicle needs to be registered in your applicable province. Any documents provided by other provinces cannot be accepted

Vehicle inspection certificate

How to obtain this document

• Vehicle inspections are performed by your nearest DEKRA test centre (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban)
• The Inspection report must be uploaded within 1 month of completing your inspection.
• If your vehicle is newer than 6 months, a vehicle inspection report is not needed. You can upload your vehicle certificate of registration instead.

Tips to upload this document

• Make sure that your vehicle is in a good condition and well kept!
• Make sure that the document(s) you wish to upload are clear and legible!

Uber Comfort

To ensure that Uber Comfort gives riders the right quality and experience of a premium product (primarily extra length and comfort), we have selected the below vehicles to be eligible to be considered as Uber Comfort vehicles. Vehicles which are eligible include:

• Toyota Corolla
• Volkswagen Polo Sedan
• Nissan Almera
• Hyundai Accent
• Hyundai Elantra

Additional requirements

• Model year must be 5 years or newer (i.e in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2018).
• 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

Eligible vehicles list

UberX

Most recent sedans are eligible to drive with UberX in South Africa.

Additional requirements

• 4-door sedan in good condition
• Sedans or SUVs which are 3 years old or newer (i.e in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2020).
• 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

UberXL

Seat extra passengers and charge higher fares with a higher-capacity vehicle in Cape Town and Durban.

Additional requirements

• 4-door Minivan must be 8 year old or newer. (i.e in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2015).
• 4-door 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

Uber Black

Charge higher fares with a mid-tier luxury sedan in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town

Additional requirements

• Model year must be 8 years old or newer (i.e in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2015).
• Leather or vinyl interior with no cosmetic damage (interior and exterior)
• 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

Uber Van

Drive with Uber Van in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Additional requirements

• 4-door minivan must be 8 years old or newer (i.e in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2015).
• 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

UberGo

Uber Go is designed to help driver-partners by boosting rider demand. Hatchback vehicles will be accepted. We believe that these types of vehicles make it more affordable than ever to access and operate on the Uber app.

Additional requirements

• Accepted vehicles:
• 5-door hatchbacks – 3 years old or newer. (i.e in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2020).
• 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 popular models;

• Toyota Starlet
• Toyota Agya
• Volkswagen Polo Vivo
• Suzuki Swift
• Suzuki S’Presso

NO Renault Kwid, Datsun Go, Chery QQ, GWM models will be allowed

DELIVERY WITH UBER EATS REQUIREMENTS

The Uber Eats registration process is simple. Once your account has been created, we will guide you by email throughout your registration in order to know your progress and the next steps to complete. Please note that an Uber Eats account is strictly personal and cannot in any way be shared with another person.

Here’s everything you need to know to complete your Uber Eats registration.

Step 1:

Download the Uber Driver App from your App Store or Google Play.

Step 2:

Sign in or Register.

To register you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a motorbike or car.

Tip: Sign up with your full name and surname as per your identification document.

Step 3:

Select your city you’ll be operating in:

• Bloemfontein
• Cape Town
• Durban
• East London
• Emalahleni
• George
• Grahamstown
• Hermanus
• Johannesburg and Pretoria
• Kimberly
• Mbombela
• Pietermaritzburg
• Polokwane
• Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
• Potchefstroom
• Richards Bay
• Rustenburg

Step 4:

Select the type of vehicle you will use to deliver:

Motorbike or Car

Step 5:

Upload the required personal documents.

See ‘Document requirements’ below

Step 6:

Safety screening

• A clear safety screening is required to deliver with Uber Eats.

To book your safety screening see ‘Document requirements’ below.

Step 7:

Upload your motorbike or car documents to add a vehicle to your profile.

Step 8:

Once uploaded, your documents will be reviewed and approved.

Your registration process is then complete and your account is set up.

Just remember! There may be delays in your activation. 

We are not always adding new couriers. So you may not immediately be activated once you have signed up. Always keep your contact details updated so that we can get in touch when there is a demand in your area.

Step 9:

An insulated delivery bag is required for Uber Eats deliveries.

You will receive a link to purchase a bag when your account is ready.

Just remember! Do not purchase a bag before receiving communication to do so.

Step 10:

After collecting your bag, your account will be completed within 24 to 48 hours.

You will then be ready to receive orders and start earning! 

Documents required for motorbike delivery

• Drivers License (Code A/A1)
• South African ID/Passport/Permit/Asylum
• Safety Screening
• Vehicle Inspection Report
• Have a Motorbike/Scooter
• Top Box (Must be able to fit a large pizza box) and be secured to your motorbike

Documents required for car delivery

• South African Drivers License (Code B/C/EB/EC)
• South African ID/Passport
• Safety Screening
• Vehicle Inspection Report
• Have a Vehicle

• How much you can earn from Uber

The income depends on the number of trips you make. The income ranges between R5000 to R 20,000 per month.