All vehicle title holders are required by law to register their vehicles at an appropriate registering authority. A registration certificate is needed when owners finance the sale of the vehicle or buy a vehicle without external financing. The owner, as the person who will use the vehicle, will license the vehicle. The vehicle's registration and licensing are recorded on the electronic National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS).

If you buy a vehicle, you need to register and license it in your name within 21 days. If the title holder is another entity, that entity must register the vehicle before you, as the owner, may license it.

Registration and Licensing of a New Vehicle

To register a new vehicle, you need the following documents:

• Form RLV.
• Your identity document.
• The manufacturer's certificate containing all of the relevant details of the vehicle.
• A roadworthy certificate if the vehicle is a Road Transport Quality System (RTQS) vehicle (a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3500 kg), a breakdown vehicle, a vehicle transporting dangerous goods, a bus, a minibus with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3500 kg, a minibus which can convey 12 or more persons inclusive of the driver and a vehicle used for the conveyance of persons for reward.

You need to complete and submit the RLV form, along with the required documents, to your nearest motor vehicle registering authority. There is a cost to register the vehicle and be issued with a registration certificate.

Cost:

• R69.00 registration fee.
• Licence fees. The licence fees depend on the make and tare of the vehicle and can be ascertained from the motor vehicle registering authority.

Registration and Licensing of a Pre-Owned (Used) Vehicle

To register and license a pre-owned (or used) vehicle, you need the following documents:

• Form RLV.
• Your identity document.
• The vehicle registration certificate (in the seller's name).
• A roadworthy certificate, if the current certificate is older than 60 days.
• Proof of purchase/acquisition of the vehicle.
• A valid motor vehicle licence.

The buyer of the vehicle must ensure that the licence of the vehicle is up to date. Complete and submit the RLV form to the vehicle registering authority, along with the required documents. There is a cost to register the vehicle and you will be issued with a registration certificate.

A registration certificate will be issued to the title holder when the vehicle is registered.

Cost:

• R69.00 registration fee.
• Licence fees. The licence fees depend on the make and tare of the vehicle and can be ascertained from the motor vehicle registering authority.
• R36.00 transaction fees levied by the Road Traffic Management Corporation.
• All penalties and arrear fees, if the motor vehicle licence is not valid.

Registration and Licensing of a Built-up Vehicle

To register and license a built-up vehicle, you need the following documents:

• Form RLV.
• Your identity document.
• Form SOA (an affadavit confirming where the parts were obtained and the receipts for the parts used).
• A South African Police Clearance.
• The vehicle deregistration certificate (if the vehicle was deregistered and not built up from parts).
• A weighbridge (mass measuring) certificate.

You need to complete and submit the relevant forms to your nearest motor vehicle registering authority. There is a cost to register the vehicle.

Cost:

• R69.00 registration fee.
• Licence fees. The licence fees depend on the make and tare of the vehicle and can be ascertained from the motor vehicle registering authority.

Before you can register and license a vehicle that has been altered or rebuilt (meaning modified or converted), you need to obtain:

• A police clearance certificate.
• A letter of authority from the South African Bureau of Standards (if privately rebuilt) or a certificate of compliance from a registered vehicle body builder.
• A roadworthy certificate.

Note:

There are also additional requirements for vehicles that have been:

• Deregistered.
• Acquired from the estate of a deceased person.
• Repossessed.
• Acquired outside the borders of South Africa.
• Previously reported as stolen.

When Do You Deregister a Vehicle?

You can apply to have a vehicle deregistered when:

• The vehicle is declared permanently unfit to be public roads.
• The vehicle is stolen or permanently demolished.

Deregistration of a Vehicle

To deregister a vehicle, you will need the following documents:

• Form ADV.
• Your identity document.
• Proof of ownership of the vehicle (titleholder).
• The vehicle registration certificate (in the seller's name).

You need to complete and submit the ADV form to your nearest motor vehicle registering authority. There is no cost to deregister the vehicle, but you will be liable for penalties should your application be late.

For more information, contact the Western Cape Government contact centre at 0860 142 142 or contact your nearest motor vehicle registering authority.

When Does a Vehicle Registration Become Terminated?

A vehicle's registration is terminated:

• Four years after the vehicle licence disc has not been renewed.


• When the title holder of the vehicle changes.


• When ownership of the vehicle changes (with the permission of the title holder).


• When the vehicle is deregistered.


• 31 days after a vehicle is repossessed.


• When the estate is wound up after the death of the vehicle's owner.