What do you need to know?
Registering and licensing your vehicle is a legal requirement in South Africa. This article outlines the necessary requirements to successfully register and licence your vehicle in South Africa.
How to obtain a Roadworthy Certificate
Every vehicle sold in South Africa needs to pass a roadworthy examination before the vehicle can be registered and licensed in the new owner’s name. You may register a vehicle without a roadworthy certificate but the license disc will be withheld until a valid roadworthy certificate is produced. To obtain a roadworthy certificate, take note of the following,
- Roadworthy tests are carried out by public or private testing stations around the country.
- You will be required to submit the vehicle’s registration document, your identity document (ID) and the prescribed fee,
- You will be required to fill out form ACR (Application for Certification of Roadworthiness)
The fee you are required to pay differs according to province and type of vehicle.
How to obtain a vehicle Registration Certificate
Whether you are the titleholder or owner of a new, used, built or re-built vehicle, you will be required to register the vehicle at your nearest motor vehicle registration authority. The iQforU agent will queue for you at the relevant registration authority after all forms is completed.
Register a new vehicle
To register a new vehicle, you will need the following,
- Identity Document (ID)
- Manufacturers Certificate with all relevant vehicle details
- Microdot certificate
- A roadworthy certificate, if the vehicle is a heavy load (or RTQS) vehicle
- Complete form RLV (Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle)
Register a used vehicle
To register a used vehicle, you will need the following:
- The seller must complete and submit form NCO (Notification of Change of Ownership),
- Your Identity Document (ID),
- The vehicle registration certificate (in the seller’s name)
- The roadworthy certificate is required for licensing, if the current certificate is older than sixty days
- Proof of purchase of the vehicle i.e. Invoice,
- A valid motor vehicle licence (ensure that the licence fees for the vehicle are up to date)
- Complete form RLV (Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle).
Register a built-up vehicle
To register a vehicle built-up from parts, you will need the following:
- Your Identity Document (ID)
- An affidavit confirming where the parts came from and what was done to the car, fill out form SOA,
- Microdots fitted to your vehicle or Microdot verification certificate
- Request for police clearance, fill out form RPC
- Request for police identification, fill out form RPI
- De-registration certificate, only if the vehicle was deregistered
- A weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate
- Proof of title ownership.
- Complete form RLV (Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle).
Register a modified vehicle
To register a modified vehicle, you will need the following:
- Your Identity Document (ID)
- An affidavit confirming where the parts came from and what was done to the car, fill out form SOA
- Microdot and Police clearance
- Request for police identification, fill out form RPI
- De-registration certificate, only if the vehicle was deregistered
- A weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate
- Proof of title of ownership
- Roadworthy certificate
- Manufacturer’s certificate, previous registration certificate or affidavit if registration certificate cannot be provided
- Complete form RLV (Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle)
Registration fees vary according to province, to check registration fees, ask for a quotation from iQforU.
How to renew your vehicle license
It’s important to renew your vehicle license every year before it expires. A 21 day grace period is given from the date of expiry, after which you will be liable to pay penalties. You can renew your license at your nearest motor vehicle registration authority or at iQforU.
To renew your vehicle license you will need the following:
- Your Identity Document (ID)
- Motor vehicle licence renewal notice, fill out form MVL2
- If you do not have the renewal notice, complete form ALV (Application for Licensing of Motor Vehicle)
Licensing fees vary according to province and type of vehicle,
ask for a quotation from iQforU.
Change of Ownership
Any changes regarding the particulars of the vehicle’s owner or titleholder needs to be communicated to the relevant motor vehicle registration authority. If you are selling your car or buying a used car, here’s what you need to know:
- The seller must complete form NCO (Notification of change of ownership/Sale of motor vehicle), and submit it to their registration authority
- The seller must hand over the registration certificate to the buyer
- The buyer must complete form RLV (Application for registration and licensing of motor vehicle) for submission
- The buyer must submit the vehicle registration certificate, if the vehicle was registered in South Africa
- You will need a mass measuring certificate if the vehicle’s tare was changed
- The buyer must submit the forms at the relevant registering authority within 21 days of purchasing the vehicle along with the registration form obtained from the seller and the current roadworthy certificate (valid for 60 days only)
*Tip: It’s the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy.
Where can I obtain the application forms?
All necessary forms are available from the motor vehicle registration authorities or can be downloaded directly form the eNaTiS website at www.enatis.com or ask you iQforU agent to assist you
Summary
Having your registration and licensing documents in order is an essential part of owning a vehicle. Knowing what is required to register and license your vehicle can save you time and money.