Important info

Please read before booking your car

Important Package Info

Please read through all the below info and questions before booking your car online

Please read carefully through the info box below as well as the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers page.

Main Driver requires valid embossed (raised digits) credit card in his / her name, valid drivers license and ID / Passport upon vehicle collection. No cash or debit cards are accepted. Main Driver needs to be present when collecting and returning car, and must drive the car. Drivers must be at least 23 years old.

Prepayment only required for certain high season periods – please refer to online booking engine. Most bookings do NOT require prepayment. Prepayment info: If prepayment is required by booking engine for certain high season periods, prepayment must be made with Main Driver’s credit card. If rental was prepaid, Main Driver / Renter still needs to present a valid embossed credit card in his / her name when collecting car, for deposit purpose. (This must also be same credit card, in the main driver’s name, that was used for prepayment). Prepaid amounts to First Car Rental are non-refundable. (When amending to lower amount, or if entire booking is cancelled, before or after vehicle collection). Please ensure your travel insurance covers you for cancellations. (Please keep in mind that most rentals do not require you to prepay your rental in order to secure it; instead, you pay at the rental branch when you pick up your car.)

  • Hereby the inclusions and exclusions for SA Car Rental’s packages – if you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us:

    Included in SA Car Rental’s package:

    1 Free Additional Driver (worth R450) and R120 Contract Fee included! (total extra value of R570 included in your rental package)

    You get Unlimited KM on all bookings 6 days and longer (1 – 5 days get 200 km per day)

    Theft Lost Waiver (TLW) included – Standard Cover (with an excess) or Super Cover (with a lower excess)

    Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) included – Standard Cover (with an excess) or Super Cover (with a lower excess)

    15 % VAT / TAX included

    1 % Tourism Levy / Tax included

    9 % Airport Surcharge / Tax included

    24 hour Roadside Assistance included (while driving in South Africa)

    No Cancellation / Amendment Fees (If you did not prepay your booking. Please note: Amendment is subject to availability and the daily rental price may change if you choose to amend your booking. If you keep your confirmed booking as is, the daily rental price remains the same).

    Book now, only pay when collecting your car (or choose to pay during online reservation – you choose when you want to pay) Please note that full prepayment (during online reservation) may be required for some high season periods – if this is the case, it will display during online reservation.

    Our South Africa Car Hire packages exclude the following standard items: (relevant on all rentals)

    – Important: Please note that Windscreen Breakage-, Glass-, Mirrors-, Windows-, Water Damage-, Undercarriage-, Tyre-, Rim-, Hubcap Damages are not covered with any rental package. (This is standard for South African Car Hire Companies). Windscreen cover is available at the rental counter for R 30 per day. Tyre Damage Waiver is also available at the rental counter for R 30 per day. Hail Damage Waiver is available at the rental counter for R40 per day – especially consider hail damage waiver if you travel through the country during summer.

    Please note that First Car Rental / Sixt’s waiver does not cover travelling on gravel roads / unsuitable roads at all – please rather do not drive on these roads to protect yourself.

    The following amount will be charged over the Renter’s credit card when collecting the car at the rental desk:

    R 3 000 deposit (refundable) plus the total rental amount.

    Upon returning the vehicle in the same condition the R 3 000 deposit is refunded to the Renter’s credit card.

    In addition the following amount will be authorised (held) over the Renter’s credit card (same credit card) when collecting the car – this is only a hold on the card and not physical money: Standard Package (Between R 7 500 and R 30 000) OR Super Package (Between R 3 700 and R 18 000) – please refer to the booking engine to view the excess / responsibility amount for the car group you are interested in (Renter’s responsibility / excess for Standard Cover or Super Cover). Upon returning the vehicle in the same condition this authorisation is released back onto the credit card. (Choose Super Cover for the lower deposit)

    Long term car rentals get billed on a monthly basis over your credit card, and not the full amount at once* (*if payment is taken at the rental counter and not during online reservation – please choose payment option 1 “Pay when I collect the vehicle” for all long term rentals. Should the online booking system requests full prepayment for your long term rental, please contact us to make a manual booking for you, so that you only need to pay at the rental counter and on a month to month basis and not the full amount during time of reservation).

    Our Car Hire packages exclude the following “other / extra” items: (for most rentals these are not relevant)

    -2nd Additional Driver (i.e. 3rd driver) (please note our package includes 1 free additional driver) R450 per Rental

    -One Way Fee (if you collect and return the vehicle at different locations – this additional One Way fee amount will display during online reservation, if applicable).

    -Baby / Child Seat (please advise age and weight during online reservation) R 500 (incl VAT) per rental (not per day). Booster Seat R 500 (incl VAT) per rental (not per day).

    –Please note cross borders are only allowed into Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho and only for certain passport holders (see exclusions below). Countries need to be selected during online reservation for cross border paper preparation. Please make SA Car Rental aware of your planned cross border rental immediately after reserving your car. Additional cross border fees and T&Cs apply – please refer to online booking and T&Cs. Important: Unfortunately no cross-borders will be allowed (regardless of vehicle booked), for any renters holding a Passport and/or Driver’s License from any of the following listed countries : Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe (policy of First Car Rental).

    Please note: Vehicles are not allowed to enter Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia or Angola for anyone.

    Cross Border fee – Botswana: R2000 Per Rental

    Cross Border fee – Lesotho: R1500 Per Rental

    Cross Border fee – Namibia: R2200 Per Rental

    Cross Border fee – Swaziland: R1300 Per Rental

    Cross border Stickers and Info Guide : R800 Per Item

    -No Show Charge if vehicle is not collected or cancelled with sufficient prior notice R500, Reservations for the Cape Region from 13 December to 03 January are subject to cancellation and / or No Show Fees, the Cancellation Fees are 50% of the value of the rental where the reservation is cancelled 7 or less days before the reserved out date and the No Show Fees are 100% of the value of the rental, unless prepaid where cancellation and no show fees will be 100%.

    -Traffic Fine Handling Fee – R 400 per fine – in the event that you receive a traffic fine this admin fee will be charged in addition to the traffic fine.

    -Claim Handling Fee (Applicable to damages exceeding R500) R 825 per incident (incl VAT) and Towing Fee – in the event of accident, damage or theft an administrative claim handling fee is charged regardless of the car rental package of the reservation. If the vehicle needs to be towed in the case of an accident, the Renter is also liable for the towing fee, regardless of the car rental package.

    -Valet – (only if the car is returned with excessive dirt) R 750 per rental.

    -Toll Fees are excluded from the rate, a once off admin fee of R35 will be applicable to all contracts where any toll fees were incurred whilst driving our vehicle, actual fees per etoll transaction will be billed at the STANDARD GAZETTED TARIFF for your account upon rental termination or within a few days thereafter. EToll fees are capped at R600 per rental per month, this capped value applies for the Gauteng Open Road Tolling (GORT) only and the Conventional Toll Plazas including but not limited to Bakwena Tolls are not included in this capped amount. An etag replacement fee of R1000 may be levied for Stolen or Damaged etags.

    -The vehicle will be provided with a Full tank of Fuel and will need to be returned with same quantity of fuel. The vehicle will be refuelled and any missing fuel will be charged at our official rates. Should refuelling be required, we will levy a Fuel Admin fee. Fuel Surcharge: Should refueling be required and exceeds the amount of R70, a Fuel Admin fee of R50 will be levied per rental.

    -Customers may reserve a GPS Satellite Navigation unit prior to arrival in South Africa. GPS Rental cost is R140 per day. Refundable GPS Excess deposit is R2850. All GPS Charges exclude 15% VAT. Credit Card and Passport / SA ID compulsory, minimum age for GPS rentals is 23 years. If you require a GPS please request this in the “other info” box during the final step of your online reservation.

  • We provide our Customers with an honest, easy and professional car rental booking experience. You, our valued Customer is our biggest asset. SACarRental.co.za is one of the preferred website for travellers looking for Unlimited KM South Africa car rental and great Customer service since 2005. First Car Rental / Sixt has a 18 year proven track record and won numerous car rental awards.

    You can also learn more about SACarRental.co.za and First Car Rental / Sixt Car Rental here.

    Read our Client Feedback here.

  • You can choose to pay only upon vehicle collection at the rental counter (i.e. no prepayment required), OR immediately during online reservation / time of booking (full prepayment). You will be billed directly by First Car Rental / Sixt. There is no difference in the rental amount if you choose to pay on arrival or during time of booking. Most of our Renters choose to pay on arrival. (Please note that full prepayment during time of online reservation may be required for some peak season periods – this will display during online reservation should it be the case).

    Payment option 1 (Pay when I collect the vehicle): If you choose to pay only upon vehicle collection at the rental desk (and not during time of booking), you will receive instant booking confirmation that a car has been reserved for you. You can rest assure that a car will be available for you on arrival at the car rental office once you have received your reservation voucher into your email. You will pay for your rental upon vehicle collection at the rental office. (Please choose payment option 1 for all Long term rentals longer than 30 days. If you choose this payment option, long term car rentals get billed on a monthly basis over your credit card, and not the full amount at once). Please note that full prepayment (during time of online reservation) may be required for some peak season periods – this will display during online reservation should it be the case. Please refer to Payment option 2 below.

    Payment option 2 (Pay now online with a credit card): If you choose to pay for your car rental during the time of booking (prepayment), please note that the pre-paid amount is non-refundable (when amending to a lower amount, or if the entire booking is cancelled, before or after vehicle collection). Please ensure that your Travel Insurance covers you for cancellations. The Main Driver’s credit card should always be used for prepayment, and the same credit card should be presented at the rental desk for the deposit. If you choose to make prepayment during online reservation, please note that the Main Driver still requires a credit card in his/her name upon vehicle collection for deposit and security purposes – and this should be the same credit card that was used for prepayment (in the name of the Main Driver). Please also note that the prepaid amount relates to your rental amount only, and does not include extras like one way fees, baby seats, cross border fees, young driver surcharge, collection fees and other extra items (mostly not applicable) – this will be charged on your credit card when you collect your car at the rental desk.

  • Yes ! You book directly on First Car Rental / Sixt’s LIVE system. First Car Rental has over 7500 vehicles in use in South Africa, and is owned by the Combined Motor Holdings Group (CMH) – a JSE-listed company. Sixt Car Rental is one of the largest car rental companies in the world, and partners with First Car Rental in South Africa.

  • You will receive directions to and contact details for the specific First Car Rental / Sixt South Africa Branch in the booking confirmation emailed to you just after online reservation. You can also view detailed branch location info here.

  • Yes. The excess / Renter’s responsibility is the maximum* amount payable in the event of accident, damage or theft (please refer to the rental terms and conditions and inclusions / exclusions), if you have acted in good faith and within the South African Laws and Rental Terms and Conditions. *Please note an additional claim handling fee of R825 per incident is charged regardless of the car rental package (Applicable to damages exceeding R500).

    The Standard Cover Package has an Excess / Renter’s responsibility of between R 7 500 and R 30 000 (liability – your maximum responsibility) in the event of accident, damage or theft, if you have acted in good faith and within the South African Laws and Rental Terms and Conditions. Our Super Cover Package has an Excess / Renter’s responsibility o``f between R 3 700 and R 18 000. Please refer to the online booking engine to view the exact excess amount for the specific car group that you are interested in. Choose Super Cover for the lower deposit.

    Please note that Windscreen Breakage-, Glass-, Mirrors-, Windows-, Water Damage-, Undercarriage-, Tyre-, Rim-, Hubcap Damages are not covered with any rental package. (This is standard for South African Car Hire Companies). Windscreen cover is available at the rental counter for R 30 per day. Tyre Damage Waiver is also available at the rental counter for R 30 per day. Hail Damage Waiver is available at the rental counter for R40 per day – especially consider hail damage waiver if you travel through the country during summer.

    The following amount will be charged over the Renter’s credit card when collecting the car at the rental desk:

    R 3 000 deposit (refundable) plus the total rental amount.

    Upon returning the vehicle in the same condition the R 3 000 deposit is refunded to the Renter’s credit card.

    In addition the following amount will be authorised (held) over the Renter’s credit card (same credit card) when collecting the car – this is only a hold on the card and not physical money: Standard Package (Between R 7 500 and R 30 000) OR Super Package (Between R 3 700 and R 18 000) – please refer to the booking engine to view the excess / responsibility amount for the car group you are interested in (Renter’s responsibility / excess for Standard Cover or Super Cover). Upon returning the vehicle in the same condition this authorisation is released back onto the credit card. Choose Super Cover for the lower deposit.

    Long term car rentals get billed on a monthly basis over your credit card, and not the full amount at once* (*if payment is taken at the rental counter and not during online reservation – please choose payment option 1 “Pay when I collect the vehicle” for all long term rentals. Should the online booking system requests full prepayment for your long term rental, please contact us to make a manual booking for you, so that you only need to pay at the rental counter and on a month to month basis and not the full amount during time of reservation).

  • The R120 contract fee per booking (incl VAT) is included in your rental package, no additional charges.

  • Credit Card & valid Drivers License, Booking Confirmation & SA ID Document / International Passport. Driver/s must be 23 years or older to book through SA Car Rental.

    You must produce a valid embossed Credit Card (credit card with raised number digits) (no Debit Cards, no Cheque Cards or cash accepted) to collect your car. (Visa, Mastercard, Diners Card, American Express Credit Cards accepted – international credit cards welcome). The Credit Card must be in the Main Driver’s name (i.e. the main driver’s name must appear on the credit card). No cars will be issued without the Credit Card in the Main Driver’s name. The Main Driver must hold and present a Valid Drivers License and must be present at the rental desk during the Car Rental collection and return. Driver/s must also present a valid SA ID Document / International Passport, as well as the booking confirmation that you receive into your email after online reservation. Driver/s must have legally driven in their home country for at least three years with a valid drivers license prior to renting a vehicle. (Please note that the Main Driver’s ID/Passport and Driver’s License must be issued by the same country). Driver/s must be 23 years or older to book through SA Car Rental.

    Please note that whether you have prepaid or not for your car rental, it is still compulsory to have a valid embossed Credit Card (credit card with raised number digits) in the name of the Main Driver and present it to the Car rental office during the collection of your car. No cash / no debit cards / no cheque cards including Maestro and Electron debit / cheque cards are accepted – it must be a credit card.

    Prepayment of Rentals: If you choose to prepay your booking, please note that the credit card used for prepayment must be in the name of the Main Driver. The same credit card that was used for prepayment, should also be presented at the rental desk for deposit purposes.

    International Customers:

    You will be required to apply for an International Drivers Permit (in English) if your Drivers License is not in English. Alternatively you can also get an English translation from your Traffic Department in your home country (on the Traffic Department’s official letterhead, stamped and certified by them) if your drivers license is not in English. All other requirements and terms and conditions remain the same. Please take your Original Drivers License together with your International Drivers Permit OR your Original Drivers License together with the Official English translation from your local Traffic Department to South Africa.

    If your drivers license is in English you do not have to apply for an International Drivers Permit or translation. Just bring your valid English drivers license with you.

  • UNLIMITED KM for all rentals 6 days plus. (1 – 5 days get 200 km per day).

    Please note that First Car Rental/ Sixt’s waiver does not cover travelling on gravel roads at all. Please rather do not drive on these roads to protect yourself.

    Driver/s must be 23 years or older.

    Please note that full prepayment (during time of online reservation) may be required for some high season periods – this will display during online reservation should it be the case (usually not the case). Prepayment is not refundable if the booking is cancelled – please ensure that your travel insurance covers cancellation costs.

    Important: Please note that Windscreen Breakage-, Glass-, Mirrors-, Windows-, Water Damage-, Undercarriage-, Tyre-, Rim-, Hubcap Damages are not covered with any rental package. (This is standard for South African Car Hire Companies). Windscreen cover is available at the rental counter for R 30 per day. Tyre Damage Waiver is also available at the rental counter for R 30 per day. Hail Damage Waiver is available at the rental counter for R40 per day – especially consider hail damage waiver if you travel through the country during summer.

    Long term rentals longer than 30 days: Please choose payment option 1 “Pay when I collect the Vehicle” for all long term rentals during online reservation. If you choose this payment option, long term car rentals get billed on a monthly basis over your credit card, and not the full amount at once. Please contact us if option 1 is not available, so we can try to make a manual long term booking for you.

    Renter vs. Additional Driver

    The Renter (Main Driver) must qualify in full when renting a vehicle, even if there will be additional drivers on the rental contract.

    The Renter (Main Driver) must:

    – be in possession of a valid driver’s license and must have legally driven for a minimum of 3 years already.

    – be at least 23 years of age to book through SA Car Rental.

    – have a valid embossed credit card (raised digits), issued in the Renter’s name.

    – Husbands and Wives travelling together may not inter-change reservations, credit cards, vouchers, licenses etc. The vehicle must be issued to the person whose name appears on the reservation (i.e. the Renter/Main Driver), and this name must match the name on the credit card imprint, driver’s license and online reservation.

    No delivery of car: Cars cannot be delivered to private or any other addresses. Please note that all cars must be collected from a First Car Rental / Sixt Branch.

    Car groups and models: Please note that you book a specific car group and can receive any car model within the group that you have booked. You can type your car model preference in the “Other Info” box during online reservation, but please note that First Car Rental / Sixt cannot guarantee that you will receive your preferred car model and you can receive any similar car model within your reserved car group.

    Please Note : The Renter whose name and surname appears on the credit card presented as well as the valid driver’s license, may not rent multiple vehicles at one time. The primary renter is required to be in / with the vehicle at all times and renting a vehicle for a third party is not allowed.

    One way rentals: An additional one way fee may apply if you return the car to a different rental location – this additional one way fee will display during online reservation, if applicable. If you require a towbar (only available for 8/10 seaters) please contact us before you make your booking. (No cost for a towbar) (If you require a trailer hire please let us know.)

    Cross border rentals: Please note cross borders are only allowed into Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho. Countries need to be selected during online reservation for cross border paper preparation. Please make SA Car Rental aware of your planned cross border rental immediately after reserving your car. Additional cross border fees and T&Cs apply – please refer to online booking and T&Cs. Unfortunately no cross-borders will be allowed (regardless of vehicle booked), for any renters holding a Passport and/or Driver’s License from any of the following listed countries : Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe (policy of First Car Rental). Please note: Vehicles are not allowed to enter Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia or Angola for all passport holders.

    Cross Border fee – Botswana: R2000 Per Rental

    Cross Border fee – Lesotho: R1500 Per Rental

    Cross Border fee – Namibia: R2200 Per Rental

    Cross Border fee – Swaziland: R1300 Per Rental

    Cross border Stickers and Info Guide : R800 Per Item

    Click here to view the First Car Rental / Sixt Booking Terms & Conditions – SACarRental.co.za purely acts as a referral Agent for First Car Rental / Sixt and you will have to read, understand and accept their Booking Terms & Conditions before booking online.

    Click here to view our website terms of use.

  • Please remember to amend or cancel your booking if your travel arrangements have changed. There is no Amendment or Cancellation fee. (If you did not prepay your booking. Please note: Amendment is subject to availability and the daily rental price may change if you choose to amend your booking. If you keep your confirmed booking as is, the daily rental price remains the same).

    Please note: No Show Charge is applicable if vehicle is not collected or cancelled with sufficient prior notice R500, Reservations for the Cape Region from 13 December to 03 January are subject to cancellation and / or No Show Fees, the Cancellation Fees are 50% of the value of the rental where the reservation is cancelled 7 or less days before the reserved out date and the No Show Fees are 100% of the value of the rental, unless prepaid where cancellation and no show fees will be 100%.

    Amend of Cancel your car hire booking here under the “Amend or Cancel booking” heading.

  • We are here to help. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions or Contact SACarRental.co.za for assistance.

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