For those of you that have rented a car in RSA...were you required to have an international driver's permit? I am seeing conflicting reports. RSA only requires a valid photo/ID/driver's license...but I see where some rental companies require the international driver's permit as well. Thoughts?

I bellive that there is a new law in SA now - no Americans are allowed to rent cars anymore - they don't know how to drive manual vehicles on the left!

As of today, you can rent a car from EuropCar with "A valid, original Driver’s Licence of more than 3 years and original passport or identity document." No international driver's license required.

You can always contact them for confirmation.

Driving on the wrong side and learning how to shift with your wrong hand takes about 10 minutes to figure out - but it can be a very exciting 10 minutes...

Aunt and I hired one in January - me on an Aussie licence - her on Canadian.

Didn't need an international licence.

No kidding right! Last August I was the "soberest" one of our group and drove our van back to Afton House. It was quite the experience! Lucky for us it was late at night...not much traffic...AND...I only hit one curb from driving too far to the left!

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
As of today, you can rent a car from EuropCar with "A valid, original Driver’s Licence of more than 3 years and original passport or identity document." No international driver's license required.

You can always contact them for confirmation.

Driving on the wrong side and learning how to shift with your wrong hand takes about 10 minutes to figure out - but it can be a very exciting 10 minutes...

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:

You can always contact them for confirmation.

Driving on the wrong side and learning how to shift with your wrong hand takes about 10 minutes to figure out - but it can be a very exciting 10 minutes...

I think it took me longer than that to quit activating the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal! The Toyota I rented at Windhoek was so quiet and smooth it took me a bit to figure the clutch out At every intersection, the wife's job was to holler, 'Left, Left, stay to the left"

My wife and I got the international permits on our trip. The girl at the rental counter smiled a big smile and said all she needed was my DL. She was nice enough not to laugh out loud.

I never did get used to topping a hill to see an 18-wheeler coming at me at 280 kph in my lane....wait...he's not...whew.

The International DL is no big deal. $35 USD at a AAA Auto Club (CAA in Canada) and 2 passport sized photo's.
It was required in a European country I visited.

quote:

Originally posted by vlwtx348:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:

You can always contact them for confirmation.

Driving on the wrong side and learning how to shift with your wrong hand takes about 10 minutes to figure out - but it can be a very exciting 10 minutes...

I think it took me longer than that to quit activating the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal! The Toyota I rented at Windhoek was so quiet and smooth it took me a bit to figure the clutch out At every intersection, the wife's job was to holler, 'Left, Left, stay to the left"

My wife and I got the international permits on our trip. The girl at the rental counter smiled a big smile and said all she needed was my DL. She was nice enough not to laugh out loud.

I never did get used to topping a hill to see an 18-wheeler coming at me at 280 kph in my lane....wait...he's not...whew.

I still do the windshield wiper thing and I have been driving on the wrong side for years.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:

quote:

Originally posted by vlwtx348:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:

You can always contact them for confirmation.

Driving on the wrong side and learning how to shift with your wrong hand takes about 10 minutes to figure out - but it can be a very exciting 10 minutes...

I think it took me longer than that to quit activating the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal! The Toyota I rented at Windhoek was so quiet and smooth it took me a bit to figure the clutch out At every intersection, the wife's job was to holler, 'Left, Left, stay to the left"

My wife and I got the international permits on our trip. The girl at the rental counter smiled a big smile and said all she needed was my DL. She was nice enough not to laugh out loud.

I never did get used to topping a hill to see an 18-wheeler coming at me at 280 kph in my lane....wait...he's not...whew.

I still do the windshield wiper thing and I have been driving on the wrong side for years.

Every single damn car in Australia had the wipers and in the indicators reversed.

I had to have an "International Drivers License" when I was in F1. But that's a different story.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member

Thanks for the info folks. I have a feeling I will be hearing a lot of "Stay left!" from the "left" side of the car!

Stay left and look right is generally good advice, look right for pedestrians as well.

I have spent a good amount of time driving in RSA and Botswana. I always put a sticky note on the windshield "Stay Left or Die" An International Rule of the Road is that driver stays on the middle side of lane. Go to AAA to get license.
Watch out for pedestrians especially when driving near places that sell alcohol. They get drunk, walk out in street and get hit quite often.

I would also have some cash ready to give to police in case you get pulled. He is going to know that you are an American when he sees your license and they associate most Americans with money. It would be much easier just to give him 1000 Rand and on your way. If you are alone I would not drive at night! Not like you are driving to Disney World. Lots of crime in South Africa. Below is a funny video of me driving with major language barrios. I do not speak Swana and just repeating what is on the radio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?..._H0&feature=youtu.be
In Botswana you have to watch out for Donkeys. In Northern Botswana, it is unsafe to drive at night because of Elephants. They are so tall that you can not see their eyes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2oZ3b9FnuY

Every PH i have ridden with signals lane changes and turns with his windshield wipers--

I think they teach it in PH School-

Are the signals on the right side of the steering wheel then? This is going to be an adventure!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Capt. Purvis:
I have spent a good amount of time driving in RSA and Botswana. I always put a sticky note on the windshield "Stay Left or Die"

I'm sure I will hear that so much from the passenger seat I will want to die! Haha...