How To Use Uber In South Africa

What is Uber?

Uber is a transportation company with an app that allows passengers to hail a ride and drivers to charge fares and get paid.

More specifically, Uber is a ridesharing company that hires independent contractors as drivers. It’s one of many services today that contribute to the sharing economy, supplying a means of connecting existing resources instead of providing the physical resources themselves.

How To Use Uber In South Africa

1. Sign up online

Got an email address and a smartphone? Great, now tell us a bit more about yourself and we’ll get you started.

2. Complete your Safety Screening

Screenings can be done at most Post Net OR Jetline Stores or registered Huru/MIE capture partners.

Driver Evaluations* are required in the following cities (bookings are required):

  • Johannesburg & Pretoria -> Book Here
  • Durban & Pietermaritzburg -> Book Here
  • Cape Town -> Book Here

*Safety screenings can also be completed at the evaluation center.

3. Upload your documents

Time for some paperwork. There are some of the documents we need to see:

  • A valid South African Professional driving permit (PrDP)
  • You have to be a minimum of 21 years of age
  • Provide a driver profile photo
  • Safety Screening Certificate
  • Driving Evaluation Certificate (ONLY required in CPT, JHB, and DBN)

How to use Uber to get a ride

If you need help on your first time using Uber, don’t worry—it’s not complicated. Here’s a simple step-by-step on how to use Uber for the first time:

  • Open and log into the Uber app on your device
  • Type your destination into the “Where to?” section
  • Select the type of vehicle you would like at the bottom of the screen
  • Tap “request” and then confirm the pickup location
  • Wait for your request to be accepted by a driver and check the estimated time of arrival
  • Just wait for your driver to arrive. You can check their location on the in-app map and you will be notified when they are close to the pickup location

5. Activate your account

If you’ve completed all the above steps, congratulations! You’re ready to activate your account and start making money.

Vehicle options in South Africa

UberX

Most recent sedans are eligible to drive with UberX in South Africa.

Additional requirements

  • 4-door sedan in good condition
  • Sedans or SUVs which are 3 years old or newer (i.e in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2020).
  • Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No hatchbacks
  • No full-sized vans or trucks
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
  • ABS, passenger, and driver airbags safety features fitted

UberXL

Seat extra passengers and charge higher fares with a higher-capacity vehicle in Cape Town and Durban.

Additional requirements

  • 4-door Minivan must be 8 years old or newer. (i.e. in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2015).
  • 4-door Minivan with independently opening doors
  • A seat at least 6 passengers in addition to the driver
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No full-sized vans or trucks
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
  • ABS, passenger, and driver airbags safety features fitted

Uber Black

Charge higher fares with a mid-tier luxury sedan in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town

Additional requirements

  • Model year must be 8 years old or newer (i.e. in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2015).
  • Leather or vinyl interior with no cosmetic damage (interior and exterior)
  • A seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No full-sized vans or trucks
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
  • ABS, passenger and driver airbags safety features fitted

Uber Van

Drive with Uber Van in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Additional requirements

  • 4-door minivan must be 8 years old or newer (i.e. in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2015).
  • 4-door minivan with independently opening doors
  • A seat at least 7 passengers in addition to the driver
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No full-sized vans or trucks
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
  • ABS, passenger, and driver airbags safety features are fitted and in working order

UberGo

Uber Go is designed to help driver-partners by boosting rider demand. Hatchback vehicles will be accepted. We believe that these types of vehicles make it more affordable than ever to access and operate on the Uber app.

Additional requirements

  • Accepted vehicles:
  • 5-door hatchbacks – 3 years old or newer. (i.e in 2023, the oldest eligible vehicles are from 2020).
  • Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No full-sized vans or trucks
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles

View popular models;

  • Toyota Starlet
  • Toyota Agya
  • Volkswagen Polo Vivo
  • Suzuki Swift
  • Suzuki S’Presso

How do you pay for Uber in South Africa?

Payment methods

  1. EFT: Select Online Banking, choose your bank, and enter your details.
  2. Barter: Select Barter as your payment option, enter your phone number, and follow the instructions to complete the payment.
  3. Debit or Credit Card: Select an existing card as your payment option or add a new card and enter your details.