CAR RENTAL
1) Car rental companies is South Africa
These are some of the major car rental companies in South Africa.
2) Conditions of renting a car
a) Age
Most car hire companies require the AGE of the renter to be 23 years, however drivers between 18 -
22 maybe allowed to hire a car then they pay en exra fee known as YOUNG DRIVER SURCHARGE.
b) Drivers Licence
A valid driver’s licence to be presented when collecting a car.
Some car hire companies want the licence to be older than 2 years (depends per company)
c) Creditworthiness
Most car hire companies need a credit card to be used for car hire. A HOLD will be put on the credit
card for the deposit, which will be released back if the car comes back undamaged. The cost of the
car rental will also be added to the deposit that will be set aside.
d) Signing of contract
By signing the contract, a person hiring the car means they understand and agree with the terms of
the car hire. They give the car hire company permission to deduct any extra charges at the end of
the rental. If the car is returned late, not refuelled or is damaged, the rental company will deduct
more money.
3) Different rental packages and options
Rental companies have different packages for different travellers such as business people or large
familes.
Rental categories may include:
Economy (cheapest option)
Mid range
Luxury
Automatic
People carriers (larger vehicles that carry more people)
4 X 4 vehicles
4) Insurances
a) CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)
A renter takes this insurance so that in the case of an accident they pay an excess fee (the amount of
money you pay in the case of accident) instead of paying the whole amount of the damage. This is
cheap insurance but your excess is high.
b) SCDW (Super Collision Damage Waiver)
A renter takes this insurance and pay more for it but in the case of damage a renter will pay less
excess compared to CDW
c) TLW (Theft Loss Waiver)
A renter takes this insurance so that in the case of car being lost or stolen they pay an excess fee (the
amount of money you pay in the case of car loss) instead of paying the whole amount of the car. This
is cheap insurance but your excess is high.
d) STLW (Super Theft Loss Waiver)
A renter takes this insurance and pay more for it but in the case of car beong lost or stolen a renter
will pay less excess compared to TLW
e) PAI (Personal Accident Insurance)
This insurance covers the renter personally in the case of disability or death. Amount of money will
be given to the next of kin.
5) Additional costs and charges
a) Tourism Levy
1% of the total cost of the rental is deducted from thr customer and is used to promote South Africa
b) Fuel deposit and charges
This is the amount of money that is deducted from the renter for the full tank of petrol. The car hire
company will fill up thee car and return to the renter any money that is left.
c) Airport surchanges
This is a levy paid by all customers renting vehicles in any South African airport. The money goes to
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
d) Additional driver surcharge
This is the amount of money that is paid if there is an additional person who will drive the car. This
person must also have a valid passport.
e) Contract fee
This is a fee that is paid for rental contract
f) Delivery and collection charges
Sometimes people request cars to be delivered or collected from them, they then pay both a
delivery fee and collection fee if vehicles are
g) Cross border fee
This is a fee that is paid by a renter if the car will leave South Africa and cross over to a foreign
country. Written persmission is needed from car hire company first.
h) Optional equipment
There are other optional equipment that renters can hire for their personal use, they pay for them.
Examples:
Car seat (for babies)
GPS
Satelite TVs and DVD players