Uber driver requirements in South Africa (2026)
To drive for Uber in South Africa you need to be at least 21 (check the current age in the Uber app), have a valid South African driver’s licence (code B or higher), a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), a clear criminal record check, a smartphone, and a car on Uber’s approved list with insurance that covers passengers and an operating licence.
The checklist
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Age | Usually 21 or older (check the Uber Driver app for the current rule) |
| Driver’s licence | Valid SA licence, code B (EB) or higher |
| PrDP | Professional Driving Permit, category P (passengers) |
| Background check | Clear criminal record check, done through Uber’s screening partner |
| Phone | A smartphone that runs the Uber Driver app |
| Vehicle | A 4-door car on Uber’s approved list for your category and city, roadworthy, within the allowed model years |
| Insurance | Cover that includes carrying paying passengers |
| Operating licence | The vehicle’s e-hailing operating licence from your provincial regulator |
The order to do it in
- Apply for your PrDP first. It is the slowest step. See our PrDP guide.
- Sign up in the Uber Driver app and upload your licence, ID and profile photo.
- Pass the background check.
- Sort out a car. Your own, a fleet partner’s, a rental, or rent to own.
- Get the car inspected and the operating licence in place. Since August 2026 Gauteng traffic officers impound e-hailing cars without one.
Which Uber category your car fits
- UberGo: small, economical cars (for example a Suzuki S-Presso class car).
- UberX: standard hatchbacks and sedans (for example a Toyota Vitz class car).
- UberXL: 7-seaters (for example a Suzuki Ertiga).
- Comfort / Black: newer, larger cars with stricter rules.
The approved models change by city and year. Always check the current list in the app before you commit to a car.
No car yet?
You don’t need to buy a car before you start. YeboAuto’s e-hailing cars come Uber-ready, with insurance that covers passengers and help with your PrDP and operating licence.
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive for Uber without a car?
Yes. You can drive a car owned by a fleet partner, rent one, or rent to own one. YeboAuto’s e-hailing cars start at R2,495 a week all-in, and you can buy the car for R5,000 after 36 months.
Can foreign nationals drive for Uber in South Africa?
Only with a permit that allows you to work and a licence that is valid in South Africa. Since 2026 the apps ask for extra documents from foreign nationals, so check the current rules in the Uber Driver app.
How long does it take to get approved by Uber?
Uploading documents takes a day; the slowest part is usually the PrDP and the operating licence, which can take weeks. Start those first.
Do I need my own insurance?
Your car must have insurance that covers carrying paying passengers. Normal private car insurance usually does not. All YeboAuto e-hailing cars include e-hailing cover.