General FAQs
 Who Is Drive Africa?
- Drive Africa is South Africa's Number One Car Rental and Buy Back Company.
Established in 1997 as the first rental purchase / Buy Back company in Africa, Drive Africa went on to become the most successful company of its kind with over 800 vehicles sold to date.
When it comes to South Africa Car Hire, Drive Africa can source your economy, luxury, 4x4 or camper van vehicle and deliver it to you anywhere in the country. Our vehicles are also good to travel extensively into the rest of Southern Africa.
Do I need a car in Cape Town and the rest of South Africa?
- Yes you certainly do need a car in Cape Town, and throughout the country. There is no reliable public transport currently available. Therefore it is strongly recommended that all tourists, foreigners and holidaymakers who plan to stay in South Africa, especially for an extended period, rent or buy a vehicle for the duration of their stay. You may make use of short term or long term car hire for periods of up to 3 months. Thereafter we recommend that you purchase a car, as the rental costs become prohibitive.
Can I rent a car without a credit card in South Africa?
- Yes and no. Usually you need a credit card to secure the deposit on a rental car handover but you can pay with cash, debit card (if visiting our office in South Africa) or bank transfer. A few rental companies are allowing car rentals without credit cards and taking a "cash" deposit as security. You don't own a credit card and want to hire a car in Cape Town we can help you cheap car hire no credit card needed!
Do I need a 4x4 to travel through South Africa?
- No, but it is recommended for Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Where can I get more information about Drive Africa and their business?
Drive Africa Car Rental FAQs
Can local South Africans use the rental packages ?
The short and long term rental packages for cars as well as our 4x4, camper and motorhome rental can be booked by locals. Our under 21 car hire and cross border car hire packages are for bonfide international tourists only.
How do you calculate your daily rental charges?
- Daily rental charges are calculated in 24 hours cycles. If you exceed your rental time period by more than 1 hour, you are automatically charged for an additional day. For 4x4 hire and camper rentals every day counts as one day.
How will my car rental be charged?
- With Drive Africa you will pay the rental portion in advance and when collecting your vehicle. Only an authorised deposit for the excess where applicable will be taken by the rental agent on your credit card as well as a deposit for claim handling fee, fuel and a contract fee. Upon return of vehicle you will be charged any missing fuel and the contract fee as well as any damages or traffic fines etc.
Does the excess cover damage to tyres and windscreen?
- Yes if you take our cross-border car rental or under 21 rental package (even if you are over 21 and are not crossing border) then damage to tyres and windscreen while driving throughout South Africa is included in the full cover insurance.
What do I need to bring along when I hire a car?
- When you arrive at rental stations counter please bring along your reservation/voucher or booking confirmation, drivers licence, your credit card and your Passport/ID. Also have your home address ready and a cell phone number if possible.
What happens if I extend my rental without obtaining permission?
- If you extend your rental without permission from Drive Africa, you will be charged the much higher extension rate by the rental company and not enjoy the contract rate.
Is petrol included in my rental rate?
- No, petrol is not included in your rental. Vehicles are rented with a full tank of petrol and you are responsible for all refueling costs thereafter. You will be charged for a full tank of petrol when you return the vehicle. All fuel costs are calculated from branch to branch so if car is delivered to you the refueling back at the branch is for renters account.
Which countries can I visit with a Drive Africa vehicle?
- Drive Africa's vehicles are allowed into South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Swaziland. A cross border hire package is available that allows the vehicles into Zimbabwe, Zambia and all other countries mentioned above with no cross border charges.
Do you charge extra for crossing into neighboring countries?
- We do not charge extra. However, the cross-border letter fee for Southern Africa countries is R150.
How does Drive Africa calculate airport surcharges?
- We don't. The 9% is charged by the airport company is included in our rate.
How much is the contract fee?
- This depends on the package chosen; either it is included or there is an additional cost.
Is there a no-show fee and how much is it?
- Yes; one day rental plus a small admin fee.
What is the smallest vehicle available for me to hire from Drive Africa?
What is the most reasonably priced air conditioned vehicle available for me to hire from Drive Africa?
How many people can I comfortably seat in one of your microbuses?
- There is ample room for 8 people and some vehicles can take 10 plus luggage.
Which of your luxury vehicles has the largest boot space?
Do you rent cars to under-21 year olds? Is there a minimum age to rent a car from Drive Africa?
- Yes! We have a special deal that includes the normal young driver surcharge and full insurance without excess. Minimum age is 18 and the only requirement is that you hold a drivers licence for at least two years. See under-21 rentals
Drive Africa Buy Back FAQs
What kind of vehicles does Drive Africa sell?
- Drive Africa sells a variety of vehicles from VW Golf, Toyota and Toyota Hilux 4x4 in a span from R 27.000 up to R 180.000. See our fleet prices for specific details.
How long does Drive Africa take to have a vehicle at the client’s disposal if it isn't already available in the fleet?
- For a vehicle which isn't available in the fleet, you have to reckon on waiting 10 working days from the date of payment before you can pick it up.
Is there a kilometer limit?
- All vehicles, purchased at Drive Africa, have unlimited kilometers.
What else does Drive Africa offer as part of their Buy Back service?
- Drive Africa has a wide range of camping equipment, cooking equipment, vehicle spares and other travel extras available for hire
Does the Buy Back car come with a roadworthy certificate?
- In South Africa a car is required to go through roadworthy only when change of ownership is requested. Always make sure when buying a car that it comes with roadworthy as is standard with all Drive Africa Buy Back deals.
With regards to Buy Back, how am I insured?
- A vehicle purchased from Drive Africa is always fully comprehensively insured. Drive Africa takes care of the necessary insurance formalities, once a photocopy of the passport and driver's license (a scanned copy e-mail preferred) in the English language have been provided.
The comprehensive insurance includes claims for accident, fire, theft and own damage. There are excesses for different types of vehicles.
Is my luggage also insured?
- No. You should insure your luggage in your home country before traveling to South Africa.
What driver's license do I need?
- Your foreign driver's license is valid in South Africa provided it is in English. If not, it is imperative that you organise an international driving permit before traveling to South Africa.
How do I pay, and how can I get my money back?
- You can pay cash, via bank transfer, credit card, debit card or traveler's Cheques.
10% of the contract price is payable on signing the contract and the remaining 90% three weeks before handover / arrival in South Africa.
You will be refunded in the same way once the vehicle has been checked in our own workshop and a Buy Back balance is completed.
Bank transfer is the easiest method to pay. 90% of our clients choose this option.
How long does a bank transfer take?
- The bank transfer takes approximately 4-6 days after the sum is debited to/from your account.
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