Vehicle Registration

If you buy a vehicle, you need to register and license it in your name within 21 days.

If the title holder (the entity who has the right to sell) is different from the owner, that entity must register the vehicle before you, as the owner can license it. 

Registration and licensing of a new vehicle

To register a new vehicle, you need the following documents:

• Application for registration and licensing of a motor vehicle.
• Your ID.
• The invoice containing all of the relevant details of the vehicle.
• A roadworthy certificate if the vehicle is a Road Transport Quality System (RTQS) vehicle (a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3 500 kg), a breakdown vehicle, a vehicle transporting dangerous goods, a bus, a minibus with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3 500 kg, a minibus which can convey 12 or more persons inclusive of the driver and a vehicle used for the conveyance of persons for reward.
• The vehicle registration certificate (RC1)
• Proof of address

You need to complete and submit the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form (RLV), along with the required documents, to your appropriate registering authority. There's a cost to register the vehicle and be issued with a vehicle registration certificate.

Registration and licensing of a pre-owned (used) vehicle 

To register and license a pre-owned (or used) vehicle, you need the following documents:

• Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle (RLV).
• Your ID.
• The vehicle registration certificate (in the seller's name).
• A roadworthy certificate, if the current certificate is older than 60 days.
• Proof of purchase/acquisition of the vehicle.
• Proof of address

The seller/buyer of the vehicle must ensure that the licence of the vehicle is up to date. Complete and submit the Application for registration and licensing of motor vehicle form to the appropriate registering authority, along with the required documents. There's a cost to register the vehicle and you will be issued with a registration certificate.

A registration certificate will be issued to the titleholder when the vehicle is registered.

Registration and licensing of a built-up vehicle 

To register and license a built-up vehicle, you need the following documents:

• Application for registration and licensing of motor vehicle form.
• Appropriate identification documents
• Form  SOA (an affidavit in respect of motor vehicle).
• A South African Police clearance.
• The vehicle deregistration certificate (if the vehicle was deregistered, commonly known as "scrapped", and not built up from parts).
• Mass Measuring Certificate (MMC) (weighbridge certificate).
• Additional requirements
• Proof of address

You need to complete and submit the relevant forms to the appropriate registering authority. There's a cost to register the vehicle.

Before you can register and license a vehicle that has been altered or rebuilt (meaning modified or converted), you need to obtain:

• A South African Police clearance.
• A letter of authority from the South African Bureau of Standards (if privately rebuilt) or a certificate of compliance from a registered vehicle body builder.
• A roadworthy certificate.

Note: There are also additional requirements for vehicles that have been:

• Acquired from the estate of a deceased person.
• Repossessed.
• Acquired outside the borders of South Africa.
• Previously reported as stolen.

All vehicle title holders are required by law to register their vehicles when they finance the sale of the vehicle or buy a vehicle without financing.  The vehicle registration and licensing are recorded on the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS).

A vehicle's registration is terminated:

• When the title holder of the vehicle changes.
• When ownership of the vehicle changes (with the permission of the title holder).
• When the vehicle is deregistered (scrapped).
• 31 days after a vehicle is repossessed.
• When the estate is wound up after the death of the vehicle's owner.

Note: Motorists must verify all personal and address particulars with any motor vehicle or driving licence transaction. These documents can be used as proof.

Price:

• Licence and registration fees
• Annual licence fees based on the make and tare (weight) of the vehicle.
• Additional costs if the licence is not valid.
• If you do not register and license your vehicle within 21 days of acquiring it, you will be liable for penalties.