The new rules for e-hailing in South Africa state that:
These new rules form part of the National Land Transport Amendment Act, which was officially announced in September 2025.
According to Briefly, these laws have been years in the making. They’re here to improve the overall safety of e-hailing drivers and passengers.
In today’s article, we’re breaking down each rule for you and showing you how our driver system can help shape your e-hailing service for the better.
The new regulations for e-hailing in South Africa require all e-hailing platforms to acquire e-hailing licences for their drivers, display their brands in each of their cars, and install panic buttons in all vehicles. These new laws were mandated by the National Transport Public Regulator (NPTR) and came into effect on March 11th, 2026.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of each rule:
Instead of using meter taxi operating licences or charter permits, all e-hailing drivers must get the new official e-hailing licences. E-hailing companies must submit applications on behalf of their drivers so they can be licensed. To apply for the licence, go to the Department of Transport website (www.transport.gov.za) and fill out form 9A, then submit it via email, in person, or by post.
The NPTR committee will review and evaluate the application and approve it. If your application is denied, they’ll tell you why and what else needs to be done for your approval. The application fee costs about R5 000, and the licence is valid for 7 years.
Drivers will also undergo criminal record checks to ensure they don’t have a serious violent past, further ensuring safety for passengers. Their profiles must be up-to-date at all times, so the pictures show exactly what they currently look like.
With all the risks e-hailing drivers have faced over the years (robberies, hijackings, and traditional taxi feuds), panic buttons have also become mandatory for e-hailing vehicles. They ensure drivers get quick emergency assistance at a time they need it most. Passengers should also be able to call for quick help, which is why some e-hailing platforms already have emergency buttons on their apps.
To make it easier for passengers to recognise their rides, e-hailing service providers must ensure all their vehicles have visible branding. This reduces the chances of passengers unknowingly getting into vehicles that aren’t registered. This rule has sparked fear among e-hailing drivers, as they fear that the visibility will make them more of a target for criminals.
If you don’t adhere to the new e-hailing laws, it would mean your business is operating illegally, which can result in your vehicles getting impounded and the licences of your drivers being revoked. E-hailing platforms that allow unlicensed drivers face a fine of R100 000 or deactivation. Drivers and operators also face two years in prison.
A driver system helps you with the new e-hailing laws by providing technology that enhances the safety of both passengers and drivers, like the panic button, dashcams, and GPS trackers. The whole point of these laws is to create a safer environment for all who use e-hailing platforms, and a driver system gives you more control over safety concerns.
If you own an e-hailing management company, you need to monitor several activities daily, like vehicle locations, fuel consumption, driver behaviour, and of course, safety. A driver system helps you with that because you’ll have all the tools you need for safer operations, and you’ll go beyond complying with regulatory requirements, since you’ll also be able to reduce more risks and save costs.
With Cartrack, you can have all the safety features you need to ensure your e-hailing business is in line with the new rules and to safeguard your vehicles, drivers, and passengers. We’ve got panic buttons, tracking units, and dashcams to ensure you’re always on top of things when it comes to safety.
Here are more details on our products:
Dashcams aren’t yet mandatory for e-hailing vehicles, but they've proven to be very useful in recent events. If a driver ever gets in some sort of trouble, the dashcam will be able to show who’s responsible, making it easier to find the culprit. If you’re managing a fleet of e-hailing vehicles, our dashcams give you live streaming capabilities, which means you might even spot when a driver needs help before they even call for help.
What makes our dashcams different from those of other service providers is the fact that they also have action buttons, which are panic buttons that are wired directly to the dashcams. When a driver pushes the button, it sends you an alert and a 10-second recording of what's happening. This ensures a quick call for help is made when a driver isn’t able to do so.
You can include a panic button in your driver system to ensure your drivers are safe and that your business meets the e-hailing regulations. We’ll place each panic button anywhere close to the driver's seat (your choice), so your drivers can easily reach it when needed. The panic button will not be visible, so only you and your drivers will know about it.
If your vehicles don’t already have GPS tracking units, you risk losing them forever. All the above-mentioned safety gadgets are to ensure your drivers receive faster emergency assistance, but should the vehicles be taken, you’d still need recovery experts.
All our GPS tracking solutions come with a stolen vehicle recovery service, which ensures you have fewer worries if that ever happens. We’ve recovered over 100 000 vehicles in the last 10 years, making us one of the best stolen vehicle recovery services in South Africa.
We specialise in everything vehicle safety-related, whether it’s finding vehicles or ensuring your drivers are safe. By partnering with us, you ensure compliance, have more control over your fleet, and save costs. Reach out to us and get all the vehicle safety devices you need for your e-hailing services.
There are new rules for e-hailers in South Africa. Find out what the new law is and how our features can help you meet these laws.
