According to South African transportation rules, if you own a vehicle, vehicle registration is required in South Africa. In addition, you must complete the registration within the deadline. When you register your car, it can prove ownership and you can check the registration details when you want to buy a used car. In this article, we will show you a complete guide on how to register a vehicle and how to check a vehicle’s license status online in South Africa.
South African vehicle registration
In South Africa, if you own a new, pre-owned, built or re-built vehicle, you must complete the vehicle registration and obtain a registration certificate from your relevant registration authority. And you must register and license the vehicle within 21 days when you own a vehicle. If you do not register the vehicle within the time limit, you will be fined. After your vehicle has been registered and licensed, you will receive a vehicle license plate.
Register a new vehicle
If you wish to register a new vehicle, you must go to your appropriate registration authority and submit the following documents.
- A completed application form for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles (RLV).
- The original identity card.
- Proof of residential address, such as utility account.
- You must show a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councilor to confirm your address if you are staying in an informal settlement.
- You also need to provide a manufacturer’s certificate that contains all the relevant details of the vehicle.
- If the vehicle is a heavy-duty vehicle, you also need to provide a roadworthiness certificate.
Register a used vehicle
If you want to register a used vehicle, there are more things you need to complete. First, the seller must complete and submit a Notice of Change of Ownership (NCO) form to give notice of change of ownership. After the seller completes the step, you must go to the relevant motor vehicle registration authority and submit the following documents.
- A completed application form for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles (RLV).
- Your identity card
- Proof of residential address, such as utility account.
- You must show a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councilor to confirm your address if you are staying in an informal settlement.
- Certificate of vehicle registration in the seller’s name.
- If the current certificate is older than 60 days, you need to show a certificate of roadworthiness.
- Proof of vehicle purchase.
- A valid motor vehicle licence.
Register a vehicle built from parts
If you want to register a vehicle built from parts, you can visit the nearest motor vehicle registration authority and bring the following documents with you.
- A completed application form for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles (RLV).
- Your identity card
- Proof of residential address, such as utility account.
- You must show a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councilor to confirm your address if you are staying in an informal settlement.
- You need to provide an affidavit that can confirm where the parts came from and what was done to the car (from SOA).
- You need to request police clearance (Form RPC)
- You need to request police identification (Form RPI)
- A weighbridge certificate
- The proof of title ownership
- Letter of authority (if applicable)
- If the vehicle is deregistered, you must show the deregistration certificate.
Register a modified vehicle
When registering a modified vehicle, you must visit the nearest vehicle registration authority and bring with you the necessary documents:
- A completed application form for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles (RLV).
- Your identity card
- Proof of residential address, such as utility account.
- You must show a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councilor to confirm your address if you are staying in an informal settlement.
- You need to provide an affidavit that can confirm where the parts came from and what was done to the car (from SOA).
- You need to request police clearance (Form RPC)
- You need to request police identification (Form RPI)
- A weighbridge certificate
- The proof of title ownership
- Letter of authority (if applicable)
- If the vehicle is deregistered, you must show the deregistration certificate.
- The manufacturer’s certificate or previous registration certificate or affidavit.
How to check online vehicle registration in South Africa
As there is no centralized information sharing system for vehicle registration in South Africa, you need to use online third-party service providers to check vehicle registration, such as Vehicle Check. It is one of the most important portals for checking the vehicle’s registration status. It also provides some necessary information, such as vehicle ownership status, model type, police interest, and accident history. Here you can follow the steps below and check a vehicle’s registration status online.
- Visit the Vehicle Check website on your browser.
- Enter the car’s VIN number and your email address.
- Then click “Agree with Vehicle Check Terms of Service” and click “Start Vehicle Check.’
- You must pay for the registration check.
- After you have completed the payment, you will receive an email from Vehicle Check.
- You will know the car’s registration status report and other information about the vehicle, such as the accident indicator, body shape, carbon emission, color, engine number, engine size, manufacturer, fuel consumption, fuel type, and so on.
In addition, you can use the VinDocs, another vehicle registration status check portal to check the car registration, conditions, and accident history. No matter which check portal you use, you also need to pay the check fee.
How long does it take for vehicle registration?
After you have submitted the vehicle registration, you will receive license plates between four and six weeks. If you are registering a brand-new car, you will be given a temporary operating permit while waiting for the license plate.
How much does it cost for vehicle registration?
When you apply for car registration, it will cost you an average of R330 to R530 in South Africa. And the application fees will vary from province to province, so you need to inquire about the vehicle registration fee at the local location.
How to run a number plate check in South Africa
If you want to run the number plate in South Africa, you can confirm it through websites such as Vehicle Check and VinDocs. And you are required to show the car’s VIN number and email address when you want to check its number plate.
How to renew an SA vehicle licence?
If your South African vehicle licence expires, you can renew your vehicle licence online through the NaTIS webpage. Here you can follow the steps below and renew your vehicle license.
- Register or Log into the NaTIS platform.
- Choose “View Motor Renewals”
- Select the licence disc/car
- Pay for the vehicle license discs
🔎Read Also: How to Renew Driving Licence in South Africa?
FAQ
How do I check a VIN number in South Africa?
If you want to check the VIN number in South Africa, you can find this 17-digit alphanumeric number at different parts of the vehicle. The place of the VIN number will depend on the manufacturer. Here you can check the following parts to find a VIN number.
- The front part of the engine, such as the license plate.
- The driver’s side door.
- The part between the windshield and dash.
After you have the VIN number, it is necessary to check the VIN number online to know the history report. Therefore, you can decide to buy it and see whether it is worth the cost.
How do I obtain a copy of my car registration documents in South Africa online?
If you need a copy of car registration documents in South Africa, you must visit the nearest registration authority and bring the following documents, such as identity documents and proof of residential address. You are then required to complete the duplicate registration form. And you need to pay the prescribed fee according to the authorities, so the registration authority will issue the duplicate document to you. After 7 days or so, you will receive the duplicated car certificate.
Can a non-resident register a car in South Africa?
Yes. If you are a foreigner and want to register a car in South Africa, you can buy a car with your permanent residence. Of course, when you only have a temporary tourist visa, you can also register a car in South Africa. However, the process can be more difficult than for permanent residents. When a non-resident wants to register a car in South Africa, you need to register on the eNaTIS(National Transport Information System) and show your foreign identification documents or a traffic register number. It usually cost you about 6 weeks to process your applicaiton.
Is it free to check the car registration?
No, it is not free to check the car registration status. All registration check service providers will charge you for the vehicle registration. If you want to check the car registration, you must prepare the fee for your check. Besides, you also need to provide the necessary information, such as the VIN number.
Conclusion
South African citizens must complete vehicle registration on time to prove ownership. If you do not complete the vehicle registration within the required time, you may face a fine. Therefore, you must prepare all the necessary documents and visit the authorized registration center and complete the registration process. Don’t forget to check your registration status after completing the registration, in case your registration has not been completed successfully.
Erin Lo