Country driving guide · 2026
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into South Africa: 9 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
Required
Recommended
Good to know
Tick before you go
9 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
UK/EU licence plus 1949 IDP
South Africa requires a 1949 International Driving Permit alongside your national licence if the licence is not in English or lacks a photo; UK photocard licences are accepted but most rental firms still ask for the IDP.
Passport with 30 days validity and 2 blank pages
Passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your departure date and contain at least two completely blank pages for the entry stamp, or you will be refused boarding.
Vehicle registration and cross-border letter
If bringing your own car you need the V5C/registration document plus a Cross-Border Charge Permit and, for hire cars, a letter from the rental company authorising you to leave the country of origin.
Drive on the LEFT
Traffic drives on the left, same as the UK, so EU/continental drivers must adjust; overtaking is on the right.
Speed limits 120/100/60 km/h
120 km/h on motorways (autoroutes/N-routes), 100 km/h on rural roads, and 60 km/h in urban areas unless otherwise signed.
BAC limit 0.05 g/100mL (0.5 g/L)
Blood alcohol limit is 0.05 g/100mL for normal drivers and 0.02 for professional drivers; enforcement is strict with roadside breath testing and immediate arrest possible.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
Seatbelts compulsory for all occupants, children under 3 must use a child seat, and using a handheld mobile phone while driving carries an immediate fine.
Cash/card toll plazas on N-routes
Major routes like the N1, N3 and N4 use ticket-and-pay toll plazas accepting cash (ZAR) and cards; budget roughly ZAR 80-150 (EUR 4-8) per 100 km on tolled sections.
Cash declaration over ZAR 25,000
Amounts above ZAR 25,000 or foreign currency equivalent of USD 10,000 must be declared to SARS Customs on arrival or departure.
South Africa requires a 1949 International Driving Permit alongside your national licence if the licence is not in English or lacks a photo; UK photocard licences are accepted but most rental firms still ask for the IDP.
Passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your departure date and contain at least two completely blank pages for the entry stamp, or you will be refused boarding.
If bringing your own car you need the V5C/registration document plus a Cross-Border Charge Permit and, for hire cars, a letter from the rental company authorising you to leave the country of origin.
Traffic drives on the left, same as the UK, so EU/continental drivers must adjust; overtaking is on the right.
120 km/h on motorways (autoroutes/N-routes), 100 km/h on rural roads, and 60 km/h in urban areas unless otherwise signed.
Blood alcohol limit is 0.05 g/100mL for normal drivers and 0.02 for professional drivers; enforcement is strict with roadside breath testing and immediate arrest possible.
Seatbelts compulsory for all occupants, children under 3 must use a child seat, and using a handheld mobile phone while driving carries an immediate fine.
Dial 112 from any mobile for general emergencies, 10111 for police, and 10177 for ambulance; AA South Africa offers roadside assistance reciprocal with UK AA membership.
Major routes like the N1, N3 and N4 use ticket-and-pay toll plazas accepting cash (ZAR) and cards; budget roughly ZAR 80-150 (EUR 4-8) per 100 km on tolled sections.
The Gauteng (Johannesburg/Pretoria) urban e-toll gantry system was officially switched off in April 2024, so no e-tag is needed for those freeways.
A red warning triangle is required for breakdowns and a hi-vis vest is strongly recommended; rental cars normally include the triangle but check before departure.
FCDO advises against driving outside urban areas after dark due to poor lighting, pedestrians, livestock and wildlife on rural roads, and a high hijacking risk at junctions.
Snow is rare but mountain passes in the Drakensberg, Cederberg and Western Cape can close briefly in winter (June-August) due to ice or snow; check road status before crossing.
Currency is the South African Rand (ZAR); cards are accepted at virtually all fuel stations but a small cash tip (ZAR 5-10) for the attendant who pumps your fuel is customary.
Petrol costs around ZAR 21-23 per litre (approx EUR 1.05); all fuel stations are full-service, self-service is not permitted by law.
Amounts above ZAR 25,000 or foreign currency equivalent of USD 10,000 must be declared to SARS Customs on arrival or departure.
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Don't get caught out
Traffic drives on the left, same as the UK, so EU/continental drivers must adjust; overtaking is on the right.
120 km/h on motorways (autoroutes/N-routes), 100 km/h on rural roads, and 60 km/h in urban areas unless otherwise signed.
Blood alcohol limit is 0.05 g/100mL for normal drivers and 0.02 for professional drivers; enforcement is strict with roadside breath testing and immediate arrest possible.
Seatbelts compulsory for all occupants, children under 3 must use a child seat, and using a handheld mobile phone while driving carries an immediate fine.