Empire Fleet Solutions

With the 2010 Soccer Finals just three month away, many football supporters from around the globe, especially those from the United Kingdom, have a lot of enquiries regarding the laws in South Africa.  They want to find out what they may or may not do while trying to enjoy the country when their teams are not playing.  One particular question being asked by Britons is whether or not they can drive a rental car in South Africa using their UK driver’s license.

The answer is quite simple.  Yes, Britons can drive a rental car in South Africa using their UK driver’s license.  Any foreign driver’s license may be used in South Africa, for that matter, as long as it is in English.  However, if the original is not in English, a translation must be obtained.  It is better yet to obtain a “green card license” from some South African traffic department.  Britons should note that UK driver’s licenses cannot be replaced if they are lost or stolen in South Africa.  Some foreign driver’s licenses, which may include UK driver’s licenses, may not be covered by South African car insurers.  This is why it is worth obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP).  If you are involved in a car accident, most South African car insurance companies will insist on seeing one.  An International Driving Permit will thus make your driving experience just so much more enjoyable as you do not have to worry about all the legal stuff.

In order to drive legally in South Africa, you must have your full UK driver’s license.  The minimum age to drive legally in South Africa is 18, which means even if you are 17 with your full UK driver’s license you will not be able to drive in South Africa.  However, to legally drive a rental car in South Africa, that number shoots up to 21.  You will be glad to hear that the modern photo license is also accepted in South Africa.  If you still have the old style paper license though, you will need to have this authenticated by the Consular Section at the British High Commission or by the Consulate General located in Cape Town.  Keep in mind that South Africa is also a left hand drive country like the United Kingdom, so for most people from the UK, it shouldn’t be too hard to get used to finding their way around.

When planning to hire a car in South Africa, it is not enough to just find a car hire company and pay for it.  You need to know about the best car hire deals to subsequently select the best.    In order to get the best car hire deal you have to follow certain steps.  You are sure to get a car hire you will be satisfied with if you follow the steps described below.

• Select three to four car hire companies that best suit your needs and wants.  You have a number of options here, but your best bet are the internet and to some extent a phonebook.  Do not blindly pick the first car hire company you come across; rather look at a number of options.  You will later regret missing out on the best car hire deal just because you got bored in the middle of the research.

• Make contact with the various car hire companies and enquire about their rates, availability, insurance, location, pickup sites, special offers, airline and hotel partnerships, as well as any extra charges.  You should always try and negotiate; you might just get a better car hire deal from the car hire company.

• Decide on a pickup point that will facilitate your car hire experience.  Getting to the pickup point should not be a hassle.  Some car hire companies are even willing to pay for a taxi to pick you up at your home or at the airport and then take you to your desired car hire pickup point.

• Pick a car while keeping all your car hire needs in mind.  Select a car depending on your circumstances, which include the number op people traveling with you and the distance you need to travel.  Factors such as these will determine what type of car you will hire for your trip.

• After picking a car, remember to book it.  Some car hire companies calculate the reservation fee together with the overall rent, while other car hire companies make it out as an extra fee.  Be on the look out for this when hiring a car.            

If you are planning to travel to South Africa, especially during the 2010 Soccer Finals, and you plan to make use of a rental car while you are here, you need to determine where you can get the cheapest rental car.  The best way to determine this is to do some research in advance.  A lot of people do not want to go through the trouble of research and subsequently do business with the first rental car company they come across, no matter what their rental car prices might be.

If you plan to pay for your rental car in South Africa with your credit card, it is a good idea to enquire whether or not your credit card will indeed be accepted by the rental car company.  You should also try and find out how the rental car insurance will work; if auto protection plans for your rental car can indeed be paid with your credit card.  If not, you should put plans in place that can take care of the rental car insurance issue.  Even though your credit card was accepted for rental car insurance in other countries, do not assume that it will automatically be accepted in South Africa.  Do the right thing by checking in advance.

Once you decide on making use of a rental car in South Africa, you will want to do as much research as possible ahead of time.  Go online and scan several rental car companies, and then compare their rates with each other.  You will want to ask about various terms of use, whether or not you will get discount for a rental car over a longer period of time, policy with regards to filling the tank upon return of rental car, costs regarding rental car insurance packages etc.  Make sure you are aware of any limits or special requirements that pertain for travel to South Africa.

Finding a good rental car company, together with adequate rental car insurance is of the utmost importance when planning your next trip to South Africa.  Ensure that you are clear on all of the details in advance, so that you understand everything you need to about rental cars.  This way, all planning concerning rental car and rental car insurance will be done in advance, and you will not risk making any hasty bad decisions at the rental car counter.

One should understand that crime is a reality in South Africa, as it is in the rest of the world.  When traveling to South Africa, safety precautions together with some common sense is necessary to fully enjoy your trip.

Whilst Driving

• Always plan your routes in advance;
• Never give strangers a lift;
• Park in well-lit areas during nighttime;
• Lock your doors at all times and keep the windows up;
• Enquire about the safety of the area you are visiting beforehand; and
• Lock valuable items in the trunk of the vehicle, rather than leaving it on the seat.

On the Street

• Do not walk around at night, especially in dark and deserted areas;
• Never carry large sums of money with you;
• Ask a traffic officer or policeman for directions if you get lost;
• At all times avoid obvious displays of valuables like cameras or expensive jewellery;
• Enquire your hotel manager for trusted cab/bus services; and
• It is a good idea to explore in groups and also stick to well-lit, busy streets.

At the Hotel

• Keep your hotel room locked at all times;
• Store your valuables in the hotel’s safe;
• If someone knocks at the door, always check who it is before opening;
• Do not leave luggage unattended; and
• When leaving the hotel, hand in room keys at reception.

Dangerous Animals

When paying a visit to the bush, remember that you are in the presence of wild and dangerous animals.  However, if you obey the general rules, take the correct precautions, and respect the wild, a wonderful time awaits you.  Incidents that do occur are only as a result of humans wanting to get too close to animals trying to feed them or taking photos.  Keep in mind that wild animals attack only if they feel in danger and threatened so respect these animals and their home and they will respect you as a result. 

Aquatic Safety   

South Africa is home to a long and beautiful coastline, with different surf conditions.  In many respects, safety depends on your swimming ability.  Enquire from local residents about where to swim and surf, and how far you can go into the ocean.  The most popular beaches have lifeguards and some beaches (especially those in KwaZulu-Natal) have shark nets.  You should be fine if you stick to these areas.