How to register a car in your name
Getting a new car is an exciting milestone for many, but licencing and registering it in your name can lead to so much unnecessary stress and delays, if you don’t follow the correct procedures.
The Western Cape Government notes that when you buy a vehicle, you need to register and licence it in your name within 21 days of its purchase. If you don’t meet the 21-day limit, you will face penalties.
Follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth and timely process when registering a car in your name:
Who is a Title Holder?
The title holder is the owner of the vehicle. If you paid for your vehicle in cash (without vehicle financing), then you are the title holder. However, if a financial institution has assisted you with the purchase of your vehicle, then they will hold the title to the vehicle until all repayments have been made.
The person who will license the vehicle is the person who has the right to use the vehicle in terms of the contractual agreement with the title holder. If the title holder is an institution, then they must register the vehicle before you, as the user, may license it.
Also read: Renewing your driver’s licence? Here’s what you need
The details of the vehicle registration and licensing are recorded on the National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS) –which acts as a law enforcement tool. eNaTIS is used to ensure that the details of stolen vehicles are circulated to prevent irregular and fraudulent reregistration of such vehicles.
Registering and Licensing a New Vehicle
- Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle (RLV) Application Form
- Your identity document (ID).
- 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 3 500 kg).
- A breakdown vehicle.
- A vehicle transporting dangerous goods.
- A bus.
- A minibus transporting 12 or more persons including the driver, or with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3 500 kg.
- Any vehicle used for the transportation of persons for reward.
You need to complete and submit the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form, along with the required documents, to your nearest motor vehicle registering authority.
There is a cost to register the vehicle and you will be issued with a registration certificate after settling the fee.
Note: Motorists must verify all personal and address particulars with any motor vehicle or driving licence transaction. These documents can be used as proof.
*As one of our readers recently learnt, be sure that your name on your proof of address is your FULL name – otherwise your application can be denied.
Fees:
- R120 registration fee.
- R36 transaction fees levied by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
- Licence fees based on the make and tare (weight) of the vehicle.
Registration and Licensing of a Pre-Owned (Used) Vehicle
To register and license a pre-owned (used) vehicle, you need the following documents:
- RLV Application Form
- Your ID
- 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
The buyer of the vehicle must ensure that the licence of the vehicle is up to date. Complete and submit the Application for Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicle form to the vehicle registering authority, along with the required documents.
You will be issued with a registration certificate after paying the fee.
Fees:
- R120 registration fee.
- Licence fees based on the make and tare (weight) of the vehicle.
- R36 transaction fees levied by the RTMC.
- All penalties and arrear fees, if the motor vehicle licence is not valid.
Registrating and Licensing of a Built-up Vehicle
To register and license a built-up vehicle, you need the following documents:
- RLV Application Form
- Your ID
- Form SOA (an affidavit confirming where the parts were obtained and the receipts for the parts used)
- A South African Police clearance certificate
- 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. You will be issued with a registration certificate after settling the fee.
Fees:
- R120.00 registration fee
- R36.00 transaction fees levied by the RTMC
- Licence fees based on the make and tare (weight) of the vehicle
Before you can register and license a vehicle that has been altered or rebuilt (meaning modified or converted), you need to obtain:
- A South African 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
A vehicle’s registration is terminated and additional requirements are relevant when:
- The title holder of the vehicle changes.
- Ownership of the vehicle changes (with the permission of the title holder).
- The vehicle is deregistered.
- The vehicle is repossessed (within a 31-day period).
- The vehicle is acquired from the estate of a deceased person.
- The vehicle is acquired outside the borders of South Africa.
For more information, please contact the Motor Vehicle Registration Call Centre:
- Tel: 0860 212 414
- SMS: 31022
- Please Call Me: 079 769 1207
- Fax: 021 483 7216
- E-mail: [email protected]
or
Contact your nearest motor vehicle registering authority.
Online Vehicle Licencing for City of Cape Town Residents
You can pay vehicle licence fees online through electronic funds transfers (EFTs). Follow these three easy steps:
- Complete the City of Cape Town’s individual or business online forms, then click submit.
- You will receive an e-mail with a unique number confirming the amount due, followed by a reference number and the banking details for payment.
- Once you have this, pay your licence fees electronically from your banking website.
Note: This online payment facility is for vehicle licences only and should not be used for the payment of rates, traffic fines and other municipal accounts.
Remember to use the reference number listed on the e-mail and not the unique number to complete the payment.
For more information, contact the City of Cape Town Call Centre on 0860 103 089.