For many residents of South Africa, using ride-hailing applications has become part of daily life. However, new regulations governing this industry require passengers to be more vigilant about the vehicle and driver who pick them up.
The question is no longer just whether the trip appears in the app, but whether the vehicle and driver comply with the legal requirements for taxi services.
This comes amid tightening regulation of the ride-hailing industry in South Africa, as questions arose regarding compliance by major platforms, including Uber.
In September 2025, the National Department of Transport published amendments to the National Land Transport Act and regulations, officially recognizing ride-hailing as a category of public transport. These regulations mandate that ride-hailing service operators must possess valid operating licenses, and platforms must be registered with the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR).
The Western Cape Parliament stated in May 2026 that the six-month registration period for platforms expired on March 11; Bolt had registered before this deadline, while Uber had not yet been registered at that time. It was also noted that operating licenses could only be converted after the relevant platform provider was registered.
Nevertheless, the Department of Transport subsequently confirmed receipt of an application from Uber South Africa Services to register as a ride-hailing platform provider, although this application was submitted after the established March deadline.
First Check: Does the Vehicle Match the App Information?
The simplest and most important check is comparing the vehicle arriving at the pickup point with the data shown in the Uber app. Uber itself advises passengers to verify the license plate number, make, and model of the vehicle before getting in. The driver's name and photo must also match the person driving.
The Department of Transport previously warned passengers about the need to confirm that the driver and vehicle details displayed in the app correspond to those providing the ride. If the license plate, vehicle, driver, or other identification details do not match the app data, one should not get into that vehicle. Instead, the trip should be cancelled if necessary, and the discrepancy reported through the app.
What Makes a Ride-Hailing Vehicle Legal?
The new rules are not only about having an account on a ride-hailing platform. An operator of such a service must hold an operating license issued by the relevant regulatory body. The rules also establish safety requirements for drivers and vehicles. These include requirements related to the driver's professional driving license, criminal record checks, vehicle identification, and the presence of a panic button.
The Department of Transport also indicated that ride-hailing vehicles must have branding or signage identifying them as such services. It is important to note that visibility in the Uber app alone is not proof of meeting all legal requirements. Uber's own requirements for drivers in South Africa include a valid Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), a safety check, and vehicle documentation.
Can a Passenger Verify the Operating License?
Here, the situation becomes more complex for passengers. The operating license is a regulatory requirement placed on the operator and the vehicle. Passengers are not expected to become experts in transport law before getting into a ride-hailing vehicle. The Department's guidance clearly states that passengers must ensure the driver and vehicle details match the app data and exercise caution if they do not.
If you have concerns about a specific vehicle's compliance, you can ask the driver about the vehicle's operating license and report it to the relevant provincial transport authority or the ride-hailing platform. What if the driver says the license is 'being processed'? Passengers may encounter drivers who claim they are awaiting licensure or that their documents are still being processed. This is a regulatory matter between the operator, the platform, and the authorities. Passengers should not assume that the driver's explanation means the vehicle is legally authorized.
The Department of Transport emphasized that operating licenses are a requirement for public transport operators, while the new rules create a framework specifically for ride-hailing services. Does an operating license mean the ride is automatically safe? Not necessarily. An operating license is an important legal requirement, but passengers must still conduct basic safety checks recommended by the platform and the government. A legally permitted vehicle can still be involved in an incident, just as a superficially legal vehicle might have a driver or vehicle that does not match the information in the app. This is why passengers should view the app's identification and safety tools as an important first line of defense.
What Should Be Done Before Getting into Uber?
There are several simple checks passengers can perform every time: 1. Check the license plate. Ensure it exactly matches the registration shown in the app. 2. Check the vehicle. Confirm that the make, model, and appearance match the app information. 3. Check the driver. Make sure the person driving matches the driver's name and photo displayed in the app. 4. Do not accept another car just because the driver says it is also Uber. If the vehicle does not match the trip details, cancel it or contact Uber through the app instead of taking the risk. 5. Do not share your trip details with strangers. Use the app's safety features to share your trip and estimated time of arrival with someone you trust. 6. Keep the ride within the app. If the driver asks you to cancel the Uber ride and pay them directly, you lose some of the protection and information associated with the booked trip. 7. Report suspicious vehicles or drivers. If the driver, vehicle, or circumstances do not match what you booked, report it through the platform and, if necessary, to the relevant transport authority.
