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Car hire in South Africa
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Driving in South Africa on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Yes - Australians need an International Driving Permit for South Africa.
South Africa requires an International Driving Permit alongside your Australian licence unless your licence carries a photograph and is in English - most Australian licences do, but hire companies frequently ask for the IDP regardless, so carry one.
Drives on the leftSame as Australia
Minimum age 23For most hire companies
$35-$80Typical daily hire
IDP required1949 Geneva Convention
Is hiring a car in South Africa worth it?
Very good value and the right way to do the Garden Route and the Winelands. A guided transfer is the better option for Johannesburg township areas.
Typical daily hire runs $35-$80.
Where to hire a car in South Africa
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What Australian drivers need to know in South Africa
- South Africa drives on the left, like Australia, which makes it an easy country for an Australian to drive in.
- Do not drive between towns after dark. Unlit vehicles, livestock and poor road edges make it the main road risk here.
- At a four-way stop the first to arrive goes first, and it is genuinely observed.
- Keep doors locked and valuables out of sight at traffic lights in Johannesburg. "Smash and grab" is the local term and the local risk.
Driving without the permit here means driving uninsured. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle in that country, and in South Africa the International Driving Permit is part of being validly licensed.
You can only get an International Driving Permit in Australia, before you fly - the state motoring clubs issue them for about $49 and it takes a fortnight to be safe. How to get one, and where it works.
More South Africa essentials
South Africa visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to South Africa
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
South Africa eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
South Africa travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
South Africa money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
South Africa airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
South Africa travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in South Africa
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
South Africa driving FAQs
Is it safe to drive in South Africa?
By day, yes, and it is one of the easier long-haul countries for an Australian because it drives on the left. Avoid driving between towns after dark, keep doors locked and valuables out of sight at traffic lights in Johannesburg, and use ride-hailing apps rather than walking at night in cities.
Planning South Africa?
We will send you the South Africa guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.