Foreign visitors can rent a car in South Africa with very little fuss: a valid driving licence, a passport and a credit card in the main driver's name cover most cases. The details — when you need an International Driving Permit, how old you have to be, why debit cards are a problem and what "excess" actually means — are where visitors get caught out at the handover. This guide explains each rule in plain English, with the exact requirements we apply at Mylz Rentals so you know what to bring.
Documents checklist
Bring the originals of each document below. Photocopies and photos on your phone are not accepted at handover, though we verify most documents online before you arrive so the handover itself takes about ten minutes.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for the length of your stay. Used to confirm identity. |
| Full driving licence from your home country | Valid, not provisional, held for at least 1–3 years depending on the car class (see below). |
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | Required if your licence is not in English or doesn't show your photograph. |
| Credit card in the main driver's name | For the refundable security deposit. Must be embossed with the driver's name. |
| Booking confirmation | Email or the Mylz app — includes your flight number for airport meet & greet. |
When you need an International Driving Permit
South African road traffic law accepts a foreign licence for visitors provided it's in English (or accompanied by an official translation) and carries the driver's photograph and signature. If your licence meets those conditions, you generally don't need an IDP to drive legally. As at October 2026, that's the position most rental companies — including Mylz — apply.
- UK, US, Irish, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian licences are in English with a photo, so an IDP is usually not required.
- German, French, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and other non-English licences need an IDP issued in your home country, carried together with your original licence.
- Paper licences without a photo (some older European licences) need an IDP or a photocard licence.
- An IDP is a translation, not a licence. It is only valid alongside your original licence, and only while that licence is valid.
IDPs must be obtained in the country that issued your licence before you travel — you can't get one in South Africa. They're inexpensive and quick to arrange through your national motoring association. If you're unsure, bring one: it costs little and removes any doubt with traffic officers or insurers.
Age limits and young-driver rules
There is no single legal minimum age to rent a car in South Africa — each rental company sets its own rules by vehicle class. At Mylz, the minimum age and licence history are:
| Category | Minimum age | Licence held |
|---|---|---|
| Compact (e.g. VW Polo, Audi A1) | 21 | 1 year |
| Executive sedan, Premium SUV, Electric, Bakkie, People carrier | 23 | 2 years |
| Luxury (e.g. Range Rover Sport, Mercedes S-Class) | 25 | 3 years |
| Porsche 911 Carrera | 28 | 5 years |
Drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge of R150 per day, capped at R1,500 per rental. It's shown in your quote before you pay — never added at the counter.
Credit vs debit card deposits
This is the single most common surprise for visitors. South African rental companies take a refundable security deposit as a hold on a credit card in the main driver's name. Debit, prepaid and virtual cards generally can't be used for the deposit, because the hold needs to be authorised against a credit facility.
- You can usually pay the rental itself by debit card or EFT; it's only the deposit hold that needs a credit card.
- The card must belong to the main driver — not a spouse, parent or company colleague.
- Make sure your card has enough available limit for the deposit plus your travel spending, and tell your bank you'll be in South Africa.
- The hold is released after the car is returned and checked. How quickly it reappears on your statement depends on your bank.
Our deposit depends on the car and the cover you choose: from R2,500 for a compact on standard cover, and lower on our top cover plan. The full breakdown is in how much car hire costs in Cape Town.
Insurance and excess explained
Every reputable rental in South Africa includes basic collision damage waiver (CDW) and theft loss waiver (TLW). These limit what you pay if the car is damaged or stolen to a fixed amount called the excess. Reducing the excess costs a daily fee.
| Cover | Daily cost | Excess | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Cover | Included | R25,000 | CDW, TLW, third-party liability, 24/7 roadside assistance |
| Signature Cover | R249 | R7,500 | Adds tyre and windscreen cover; deposit reduced to R2,500 |
| Black Cover | R449 | R0 | Zero excess, lost-key cover, personal accident cover; deposit R1,000 |
Check whether your travel insurance or credit card already provides car-hire excess cover — some do, many exclude certain countries or luxury vehicles. Read the terms before you decline a reduced-excess plan.
Driving on the left
South Africa drives on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. If you're from the US or continental Europe, the first hour feels strange and then quickly becomes normal. A few tips from our handover team:
- Choose an automatic. Every car in the Mylz fleet is automatic, so you're not changing gear with your left hand as well.
- The indicator and wiper stalks may be swapped from what you're used to. Expect to wash the windscreen at your first turn — everybody does.
- At roundabouts (traffic circles), give way to traffic from the right and go round clockwise.
- Turning right across traffic is the "big" turn. Say "keep left" out loud when pulling out of a car park or petrol station.
- Start with an easy drive: the airport to the Waterfront, or a morning on the Atlantic Seaboard, before tackling Chapman's Peak.
For speed limits, four-way stops, alcohol limits and local slang, read driving in Cape Town: rules & local tips.
Staying longer than a holiday
If you're in Cape Town for a month or more — remote work, a sabbatical or a semester — weekly and monthly rates bring the daily cost down significantly. See long-term car rental in Cape Town for monthly pricing. Online bookings run up to 90 days; longer rentals are arranged directly with our team.
Mylz Rentals
Plan your trip
Meet & greet at Cape Town International, or delivery and collection across Cape Town and the Winelands. No rental desk, no queue.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car in South Africa with a US or UK licence?
Yes. US and UK photocard licences are in English and show your photo, so they're accepted on their own. You'll also need your passport and a credit card in your name for the deposit.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in South Africa?
Only if your licence isn't in English or doesn't carry your photograph. In that case get an IDP in your home country before travelling and carry it with your original licence.
What age can you rent a car in South Africa?
Most companies start at 21. At Mylz the minimum is 21 for compact cars, 23 for most other classes, 25 for luxury models and 28 for the Porsche 911. Drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge of R150 a day, capped at R1,500.
Can I rent a car without a credit card?
You can often pay for the rental by debit card or EFT, but the refundable security deposit almost always needs a credit card in the main driver's name. Debit, prepaid and virtual cards aren't accepted for the deposit at Mylz.
