Buying a Car in South Africa

The first challenge of buying a car in South Africa is paying for it. Car prices are very high, about twice as high on average as in the United States, for the sake of comparison. What's more, the market is not so big, so once you've settled on a car you like, you might not be able to find it right away. Check the relevant dealers or used car websites early to get a better idea of what's out there. One thing to look for when car-shopping is smash-and-grab protection. It's a film that protects your windshield and windows against being smashed in, and most higher-end cars will come already equipped with it. But if not, you can add it later. It's a good thing to have, and your insurance company might require it.

To pay for your car you will need a bank account. To set up your bank account, you will need to show proof of residence as well as your passport including visa. You will need those documents again later when registering your car.

So let's say you found a car and have money in your bank account to pay for it ' what next? You will need some paperwork: a) a roadworthiness certificate, b) the application for registration, c) the current owner's registration certificate d) proof of purchase, and e) a license plate. The car dealership will handle all of this for you, and for South African residents this works well, but as an expat you will also need to apply ' in person ' for a Traffic Register Number at the closest Licensing Department. Foreign nationals need this number in lieu of a South African ID, a fact that some car dealerships are not aware of. Make sure you bring your lease agreement, passport, passport pictures, and foreign drivers' license. The application process will take a few days, meaning you will have to go there again to pick up your certificate, at which time the transfer of ownership can take place.

It's important to remember that in order to get the traffic register number, you will have to have a permanent visa/work permit for South Africa. If you're just the accompanying spouse, your visa will not be sufficient.

Once you've purchased your car, stuck your license plates on, and affixed the round disk you've cut out from the registration certificate to the inside of your windshield (which by the way is renewable every year but you will get a notice in the mail for that), you will still need two things: Insurance and a tracking service. Most insurance companies will insure your vehicle over the phone according to the make of the car, and then follow up with an at-home visit. They will inform you whether a tracking service is needed, and which one they recommend.

After all this, you should be good to fling yourself into South African traffic in your brand-new car. And promptly be stuck in traffic!