Vehicle Registration in South Africa

Last Updated on April 21, 2022

Sometimes information on how to register vehicles or get license plates is not readily accessible or available. So we decided to write an article about it. All vehicles must be registered before they are allowed to travel on the roads. It is very dangerous to drive a car that is not registered. It is against traffic rules and regulations in South Africa and involves penalties.

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Vehicle Registration in South Africa is the legal way to connect you to the car you own. By registering your vehicle with your local department of motor vehicles or transportation agency, you have legal rights over that car, and you can drive it without violating the law. As a rule, the registration is an official document that you carry in the car while driving.

ALSO CHECK: South Africa Passport Online Application

You must register and license your motor vehicle within 21 days after a change of ownership. If you do not register it, you will have to pay arrears and penalties. The motor vehicle registration is recorded on the national traffic information system (eNaTIS).

Your vehicle’s registration becomes null and void if:

the vehicle licence disc has not been renewed for more than four years
the vehicle was involved in an accident and has been declared permanently unfit for use
you sold the vehicle (changed ownership)
your vehicle has been repossessed for more than 31 days
a deregistration certificate has been issued.

Register a new vehicle:

To register a new vehicle, go to your appropriate registering authority and submit the following:
1. your identity document (ID)
1. proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
1. if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
1. the manufacturer’s certificate containing all the relevant details of the vehicle
1. a roadworthy certificate, if the vehicle is a heavy load [or Road Transport Quality System (RTQS)] vehicle.
Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle (RLV) form.

Register a used vehicle:

To register a pre-owned (used) vehicle, the seller must first complete and submit a Notification of change of ownership (NCO) form, which gives notification of change of ownership
Go to your relevant motor vehicle registration authority and submit the following:
1. your identity document (ID)
1. proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
1. if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
1. the vehicle registration certificate (in the seller’s name)
1. a certificate of roadworthiness if the current certificate is older than 60 days
1. proof of purchase of the vehicle
1. a valid motor vehicle licence (ensure that the licence fees for the vehicle are up to date).
Complete the Application for registration and licensing of motor vehicle (RLV) form.

Register a vehicle built up from parts:

To register a vehicle built up from parts, go to your nearest motor vehicle registration authority and submit the following:
1. your identity document (ID)
1. proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
1. if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address
1. an affidavit confirming where the parts came from and what was done to the car (form SOA)
1. request for police clearance (form RPC)
1. request for police identification (form RPI)
1. de-registration certificate (if the vehicle was deregistered)
1. a weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate
1. proof of title ownership
1. letter of authority (if applicable).
The provincial helpdesk will then introduce the vehicle record on eNaTIS
1. request for police clearance (form RPC) must then be submitted
1. a roadworthy test must be performed on the vehicle.
Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form (RLV).

Register a modified vehicle:

To register a modified vehicle, go to your nearest motor vehicle registration authority and submit:
1. your identity document (ID)
1. proof of residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
1. if you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address
1. an affidavit confirming where the parts came from and what was done to the car (form SOA)
1. request for police clearance (form RPC)
1. request for police identification (form RPI)
1. de-registration certificate (if the vehicle was deregistered)
1. a weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate
1. proof of title of ownership
1. roadworthy certificate
1. letter of authority (if applicable).
1. manufacturer’s certificate or previous registration certificate or affidavit if the registration certificate cannot be provided.
Complete the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form (RLV).

How long does it take

The application will be forwarded to the provincial helpdesk.

The introduction of the motor vehicle record can take up to a few days. The applicant will be contacted when the record is on the system.

How much does it cost

Contact your local licensing office for the cost.

Forms to complete

Forms are obtainable at the motor vehicle registering authority or you can download them from the eNaTIS website.

Who to contact

Contact your local department of transport

Vehicle Registration in South Africa | How to Register My New Car