Uber Driver Jobs Requirements in South Africa (2026) – Complete Guide to Get Started

Minimum age – You must be at least 21 years old .

Valid driver's licence – You need a valid South African driver's licence. For passenger transport (UberX, UberGO, UberXL), you need a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP). This is a special permit required for anyone transporting passengers for payment . For UberEATS (food delivery), a regular driver's licence is sufficient.

Driving experience – You must have at least one year of driving experience with a valid licence .

Criminal background check – Uber requires all drivers to pass a criminal background check. This is done through a screening process at any PostNet branch . You cannot drive if you have certain criminal convictions, especially those involving violence, theft, or sexual offences.

Proof of identity – You need a valid South African ID document or passport. Foreign drivers must produce equivalent licences in compliance with SADC conventions and may require a PrDP .

Proof of residence – You need to show that you live in the area where you want to drive .

Professional demeanour – Uber does not test this formally, but your success depends on it. Good communication, courtesy, and a positive attitude lead to higher passenger ratings — and higher ratings mean more ride requests .

Vehicle age – For new drivers signing up, your vehicle must be 3 years old or newer. Existing drivers can continue using their cars for up to 8 years. This rule was introduced in 2022 to improve safety and the passenger experience. Newer vehicles have better safety features and are more reliable .

Four-door vehicle – Your car must have four doors for easy passenger access .

Good condition – The vehicle must be in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition. No major dents, scratches, or mechanical issues.

Roadworthy certificate – Your car must pass a vehicle inspection to prove it meets safety standards. In Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban, Uber only accepts inspection certificates from Dekra .

Comprehensive insurance – You must have comprehensive insurance that covers both you and your passengers .

Valid licence plates – The vehicle must be registered in your name (or a rental company's name) with valid, up-to-date licence plates .

Operating Card (Double Disk) – This is the official document proving your vehicle is registered to operate as a public transport vehicle .

Vehicle branding – New regulations effective in 2026 require e-hailing vehicles to display signage identifying them as e-hailing vehicles. This makes it easier for law enforcement and passengers to identify legitimate operators .

Panic button – Under the new regulations, your vehicle must be fitted with a panic button for quick emergency response

The most important change for 2026 is the new e-hailing operating licence. Here is what you need to know:

What is it? – The e-hailing operating licence is an official document from the government that allows you to transport passengers for payment using an app like Uber. Previously, e-hailing drivers used meter-taxi licences or charter permits as an interim measure. Now, you must have a dedicated e-hailing licence .

How much does it cost? – The operating licence costs approximately R5,000 and is valid for seven years .

Where do you apply? – You apply through the relevant provincial regulatory authority or the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) .

What is the deadline? – The government gazetted the new regulations on 12 September 2025, beginning a 180-day compliance window. The deadline to obtain your operating licence is 12 March 2026 . After this date, drivers without a valid e-hailing operating licence will be considered illegal operators .

What are the consequences of non-compliance? – If you drive without a valid operating licence after the deadline, you face vehicle impoundment, being declared an illegal operator, and possible fines. Platforms that allow unlicensed drivers to operate face fines of up to R100,000 or imprisonment for responsible individuals .

Geographic restrictions – Your operating licence will specify the geographical areas where you are allowed to operate. You cannot pick up passengers outside these approved zones .

Real Example: Job Title and Duties – Control & Automation Technician (Fleet Maintenance)

While most Uber drivers focus on passenger transport, large e-hailing fleets and vehicle rental companies need technical staff to maintain their vehicles. If you have electrical or mechanical skills, you might find a role like Control & Automation Technician in a fleet maintenance facility. The job title might also be called Fleet Maintenance Technician or Vehicle Electronics Specialist.

In this context, your duties would include troubleshooting and maintaining the electrical systems in e-hailing vehicles, diagnosing faults in vehicle electronics, GPS systems, panic buttons, and communication equipment. You would calibrate sensors and diagnostic tools, support fleet automation systems, ensure compliance with safety and vehicle standards, read electrical wiring diagrams, and perform root cause analysis on recurring technical faults.

The requirements for such a role include at least an N6 in Electrical, Electronics, or Automotive Engineering. A National Diploma or BTech is often preferred. You need three to five years of experience in vehicle maintenance or a related technical environment. Hands-on experience with diagnostic equipment, electrical systems, and vehicle communication protocols is essential.

If this matches your profile, search for technician roles at Uber's Greenlight hubs, fleet management companies, or vehicle rental agencies that supply cars to e-hailing drivers.

Before you start the application process, review all the driver and vehicle requirements above. Make sure you:

Are at least 21 years old

Have a valid driver's licence and PrDP (for passenger transport)

Have a vehicle that meets Uber's age and condition standards

Are willing to obtain the new e-hailing operating licence (R5,000 cost)

Have a smartphone that can run the Uber Driver app

If you are missing any of these, address them first before applying.

For passenger transport, you need a PrDP. Here is how to get one:

Visit your nearest Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC)

Complete the PrDP application form

Submit your valid driver's licence, ID document, and a passport photo

Pay the required fee (approximately R250–R300)

Wait 4–6 weeks for processing

You cannot drive for UberX, UberGO, or UberXL without a valid PrDP

Uber requires all drivers to pass a criminal background check. This screening is done through PostNet:

Visit any PostNet branch in South Africa

Tell them you need the Uber driver screening check

Provide your ID document and pay the fee

PostNet will process your application and send the results directly to Uber

This check looks for criminal convictions. If you have a criminal record for violent crimes, theft, or sexual offences, you may not be approved .

This is the most important new requirement. You must obtain your e-hailing operating licence from the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) or your provincial regulatory authority:

Visit the NPTR office in your province or apply through their online portal

Complete the operating licence application form

Submit your ID, driver's licence, PrDP, and vehicle registration documents

Pay the R5,000 licence fee

The licence will specify the geographic areas where you are allowed to operate

Do not delay. The deadline is 12 March 2026. After this date, driving without a valid e-hailing licence is illegal and can result in your vehicle being impounded .

If you have applied but not yet received your licence, keep your application receipt as proof. Uber may accept the receipt during the transition period .

Before you can start driving, your vehicle must meet Uber's standards:

Ensure your car is clean, well-maintained, and has no visible damage

Schedule a Dekra vehicle inspection (in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, or Durban) or an Uber-approved inspection in other cities

Install a panic button in your vehicle as required by the new regulations

Add e-hailing branding/signage to your vehicle as required by law

Obtain comprehensive insurance that covers passengers

Make sure you have your Operating Card (Double Disk)

Once your documents are ready, register through the Uber app:

Download the Uber Driver app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store

Create an account — provide your name, email address, and phone number

Upload your documents — take clear photos of your:

Driver's licence

PrDP

ID document

Vehicle registration

Operating Card (Double Disk)

Operating licence (or application receipt)

Insurance certificate

Vehicle inspection certificate

Profile photo

Complete your profile — add your location, preferred working hours, and any other information Uber requests

Uber requires new drivers to complete a driving evaluation in certain cities (Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban). An Uber representative will assess your driving skills, knowledge of the app, and customer service abilities .

The evaluation covers:

Safe driving practices

Navigation and route planning

Using the Uber Driver app

Handling passenger interactions

Emergency procedures

Once you pass the evaluation, your account will be activated, and you can start accepting ride requests.

While Uber is the most well-known platform, you can also drive for Bolt, inDrive, and other e-hailing services. Registering on multiple platforms helps you get more ride requests and maximise your earnings.

How to register correctly:

Go to the driver sign-up page for each platform — Uber, Bolt, inDrive, or others. Click Register or Sign Up. Enter your name, email address, and create a password. Verify your email by clicking the link sent to your inbox. Once verified, complete your profile fully. Add your location (for example, Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban), your vehicle details, and upload all the required documents. Do not skip any fields. A complete profile makes it easier for the platform to approve you quickly.

For e-hailing driver profiles, make sure you include keywords that match the job requirements. Add terms like PrDP, operating licence, e-hailing, passenger transport, Uber, Bolt, and your city name. These keywords help the platform match you with relevant ride requests.

Before you can start driving, you must submit all required documents through the Uber Driver app:

If using the online document upload:

Open the Uber Driver app, go to the Documents section, and take clear photos of each required document. Make sure the photos are well-lit, not blurry, and show all four corners of each document. Name your files clearly if the app allows — for example: ThaboPrDP2026.jpg. Double-check that you have uploaded the correct document for each category before submitting.

If submitting documents in person:

Visit an Uber Greenlight hub in your city. Bring printed copies of all your documents. A representative will review them and help you complete the process.

After you submit your documents:

Uber will review your application. This typically takes 3–7 business days. You will receive a notification in the app when your account is approved or if any documents are rejected. If rejected, upload corrected versions immediately.

Your operating licence will specify the geographic areas where you are allowed to pick up passengers . In South Africa, Uber operates in most major cities and many smaller towns.

Major operating areas:

Gauteng – Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, Centurion, Midrand, Sandton

Western Cape – Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Somerset West

KwaZulu-Natal – Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Umhlanga

Eastern Cape – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), East London

Other provinces – Bloemfontein (Free State), Nelspruit (Mpumalanga), Polokwane (Limpopo)

Location tip: Before you apply for your operating licence, decide which areas you want to work in. Your licence will restrict you to specific zones. If you live in Soweto but want to drive in Sandton, make sure your licence allows that. If you are willing to operate in multiple areas, apply for a licence that covers the broader region.

If you do not own a car, you can rent one from companies that specialise in Uber rentals. Many rental companies offer vehicles that meet Uber's requirements and can help you with the documentation process .