| Car Rental | ||
| Rent a car | ||
| Car Hire | ||
| South Africa is a prime destination for a self-drive vacation as the roads are in excellent condition with well-marked information boards and sign boards as well as great infrastructure. All of the main cities are set up for car rentals and finding your way around is very easy. You can collect and drop of at the airport or take delivery at any address. A major credit card and an International Driving Permit is required, if your licence is not printed in English. Don't forget to drive on the left and please note: most South African petrol stations are not self-help: an attendant will fill the car, check oil, water and tire pressure and, if necessary, clean the windscreen – for which he or she will expect a tip of two or three rand. Remember you can only pay cash at gas stations. The s-cape!Choice of car rental companies: Avis, Sixt, Europcar and Imperial. | ||
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| Driving Rules | ||
| South Africans drive on the left hand side of the road, and all signposts are written in English. It is law to wear a seat belt at all times, and using a mobile phone when driving is prohibited. You must carry your driving licence with you at all times when driving in South Africa. All distances and speed limits are in kilometres. The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated. South Africa is home to the 4 way stop sign. For those unfamiliar with this concept, the first car that arrives at the junction has the right of way, whether they are going straight on, or turning left or right. The second person to arrive has the next right of way, and so on. Please also don´t forget: Filling stations generally do only accept cash. | ||
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| Driving Precautions | ||
| When driving anywhere in South Africa, try to apply the following safety precautions: Always drive with your doors locked and windows wound up, especially when stopped at traffic lights. Car hijackings still do occure occasionally. Also do not leave valuables in clear view of people on the side of the road. Articles as cell phones, cameras and handbags left on seats are favoured targets of smash'n'grab thieves. Don't ever stop to pick up hitchhikers, however innocent, lost or appealing they look. If you are worried about someone's plight, stop at the next town and report it to someone there. Do not leave anything on show in your car when you leave it unattended, and ALWAYS lock your car when you leave it, even if you are only going into a gas station shop for one minute. Try to always park in a busy, well-lit area. Take advice from your hosts where you are staying, and ask if there are any areas that tourists should avoid driving through (for example, Mitchell's Plain near Cape Town, or any township area).Don't get out of your car if you are knocked or hit from behind in suspicious circumstances. |
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