Transport
New laws are coming for e-hailing drivers in South Africa. Image: Pexels

Home » South Africa to roll out new e-hailing regulations by October

South Africa to roll out new e-hailing regulations by October

South African e-hailing drivers will soon have to comply with tighter licensing, safety, and ID requirements under the National Land Transport Amendment Act.

25-08-25 13:13
Transport
New laws are coming for e-hailing drivers in South Africa. Image: Pexels

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said authorities could implement new e-hailing driver regulations in South Africa within two months, once they gazette the National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTA).

MyBroadband reports that the Act, approved in March 2025, is being translated into a second official language and should be finalised by October.

The regulations will enforce stricter standards for e-hailing drivers, aligning them with current rules for metered taxis.

Government to tighten rules amid rising taxi tensions

Under the new law, e-hailing drivers will be required to:

  • Obtain operating licences tied to specific geographical areas.
  • Hold a professional driving permit.
  • Pass a criminal background check.
  • Install panic buttons in vehicles for emergency response.
  • Display branding or signs identifying them as e-hailing operators.

Creecy said the regulations aim to reduce violent clashes between e-hailing and taxi drivers, which have escalated in recent years.

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and e-hailing associations have both voiced support for the new law, which authorities have been developing since 2016.

Creecy encouraged conventional taxi operators to adopt the changes.

“Taxi drivers are no different from the rest of us, and part of what everyone has to understand in the modern world is that you either change or you don’t survive,” Creecy said, as per Mybroadband.