UPDATE (04/09/2018):

Many of our clients are struggling at the Traffic Department to register vehicles or obtaining a Traffic Register Number.  We have tried to get further information from the Traffic Department with no success, and therefore the information in this article serves as a guideline using the information we were able to obtain previously from the Traffic Department. We unfortunately are not able to assist with Motor Vehicle Licenses.

One of the realities of living in South Africa is the lack of good public transport.

Getting around means having your own transport, so you decide to get yourself a car.  Registering it however, can be troublesome.

South African residents are automatically loaded on to the National Transport Information System (eNaTIS).  This system is the national register that stores, records, manages and enforces the requirements of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) and the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR)

To register a car in your name in South Africa you need to be loaded on the eNaTIS system, and as such foreigners need to first apply for a Traffic Register Number (ANR).  This number is the main identification accepted for road traffic transactions on the eNaTIS system for foreigners.

To apply for a Traffic Register Number, you will need to visit your nearest Registering Authority or Licensing Centre and complete the application form in respect of a Traffic Register Number.  This needs to be submitted along with a certified copy of your passport, two black and white ID photographs and proof of address (e.g. a utility account in your name not older than 3 months), and pay the prescribed fee.  The application can take up to six weeks to process.

Once you have your ANR, registering a vehicle will be relatively simple.

If you’re purchasing a car from a dealership, they will generally attend to the registration, however they will require your ANR to register the car in your name.  It is advisable to ensure you have applied and received your ANR prior to purchasing a vehicle.

Perhaps you’re going to purchase a vehicle privately… Then what?

To register a pre-owned vehicle the seller must complete and submit a notification of change of ownership form (NCO).  Once this is done you will be able to register the vehicle in your name by filling in the registration forms and submitting them along with a copy of your passport, your ANR, proof of address, the vehicle registration certificate (in the seller’s name), a certificate of roadworthiness (if the current certificate is older than 60 days), proof of purchase (invoice) of the vehicle and a valid motor vehicle license (Foreign Driver’s license).

Once the vehicle is registered, please ensure that you remember to renew the license each year.

While we try to ensure all the information on registering a vehicle is as up to date as possible, in South Africa things can change quickly, therefore if you have any queries, it’s best to check with the Traffic and licensing department.

Contact us for further information