E-hailing drivers across South Africa now have 180 days to meet the new requirements under the recently amended National Land Transport Act, which formally recognises e-hailing as a legal form of public transport.
Licensing and Application Process
According to Transport Department spokesperson Collen Msibi, all e-hailing drivers must apply for an operating licence through provincial regulatory entities. Each of the nine provinces will have a designated office to handle applications, working in coordination with municipalities.
The operating licence costs around R600 and must be renewed every five years. In addition, drivers must hold a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), which conducts criminal record background checks and authorises them to operate public transport vehicles.
Branding and Panic Button Installations
Msibi confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding vehicle branding, with possibilities that companies like Uber and Bolt may want their logos displayed on vehicles.
Importantly, authorities will require all e-hailing cars to install physical panic buttons, separate from in-app features, for both drivers and passengers. Accredited security or tracking companies must fit these devices, and they will provide immediate access to emergency services.
“Drivers are also being targeted, so they need urgent protection,” Msibi said. “There may be two panic buttons per vehicle, one in the front and another in the back, to ensure accessibility for both commuters and drivers.”
The cost of installing panic buttons will be borne by the operating licence holder.
Compliance and Enforcement
Once the 180-day grace period expires, strict enforcement will follow. Law enforcement officers will inspect vehicles to ensure they:
- Display valid operating licences.
- Have functional panic buttons installed.
E-hailing platforms will also be held accountable. All apps must register with the regulator, and if they allow unlicensed operators, they risk fines of up to R100,000 or imprisonment of up to two years. A public list of registered apps will be published for transparency
Transition for Current Operators
Drivers currently using charter permits will have six months to convert to official e-hailing operating licences.
To help ensure smooth compliance, the Transport Department has started hosting workshops with regulators and operators.
“We need to educate people about the regulations and also hear from them where they need assistance. It is a two-way process,” Msibi explained.
By the end of the six-month period, full enforcement of the amended Act will begin, making operating without the required licence or safety installations a punishable offence.
Related article: Gauteng’s Upcoming E-Hailing Service Aims to Create Local Jobs
