How e-Tolls will affect your car rental

Image by SANRAL

Drive South Africa is a booking agent and it is important for us to ensure that the time spent by you on the road is hassle-free. We use multiple Rental Partners to ensure that we bring you the best price, availability and selection when looking for a rental vehicle.

If you would like the freedom to do what you want, when you want to, you might want to consider car hire South Africa for your transportation needs.

Recently all our Rental Partners have had to make some changes due to the implementation of the Gauteng e-Toll system. To comply with the law they are all in the process of tagging their entire fleet and building new systems to handle the billing for these extra charges.

We have compiled a list of the most common questions and included links to some of the press releases that have been issued by our Rental Partners.

What is e-Tolling?

On 3 December 2013 the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) rolled out the much awaited e-toll roads system in Gauteng. These Gauteng e-Toll roads are South Africa’s first multi-lane free-flow toll system using Electronic Toll Collection (ETC). This provides the road users with a smoother, safer journey and is an important contributor to keeping the country’s economic hub moving.

There are forty-two planned e-Toll gantries within the Gauteng e-road and the Gauteng e-road falls within sections along the N1, N3, N12 and R21 national roads.

How will I be billed for e-Tolls?

You will be billed on return of the rented car. The client will have to pay for the tariffs incurred by the car while driving on the e-road. Depending on how efficient the e-Toll systems are, you will either be billed for usage at the end of the rental, or sent a sundry invoice afterwards. This process is still being tested and may differ from one Rental Partner to the next.

Why is there an extra deposit added to my bill?

The extra REFUNDABLE deposit is to cover the e-Toll amount which is part of the legislation and is R450 – R500.

I’m not even in Gauteng, why am I paying the extra deposit?

Any client can pick up and return a car almost anywhere in the country. The extra deposit for non-Gauteng renters is for when (or if) the car ends up being driven on the Gauteng e-roads. The extra deposit is also refundable, should there be no costs incurred.

I made my booking before e-Tolls. How will my current booking be affected?

If you are currently renting a vehicle or have made bookings before e-Tolls, you will see an extra deposit amount being held on your credit card. All our Rental Partners have implemented this and we are systematically contacting all our clients to inform them of this extra rental deposit charge.

Where can I get more information?

For more information please visit the SANRAL website.

Here are releases from some of our Rental Partners.
Europcar
Budget
e-Toll Frequently Asked Questions
First Car Rental

If you have any other questions about e-Toll, please feel free to contact us.

If you would like to have the freedom to explore the area you are visiting independently, you might want to look into car hire South Africa for the perfect set of wheels.

The 3 things you have to do in Cape Town

Having more than 10 different languages, Cape Town is unparalleled for a truly rich cultural experience, exceptional scenery and so many things to do. Having said that, Capetonians say there are a few ‘mandatory’ things you have to see and do if you’re new to the city. If you would like to have the freedom […]

10 Experiences You Have to Try in Zambia

Zambia is possibly Africa’s best-kept secret, a country of spectacular natural beauty and cultural richness. Birthplace of the walking safari, home to the mighty Victoria Falls and teeming with wildlife, this wild country has something for everyone without the crowds. There are diverse landscapes and national parks to explore and an assortment of activities to suit […]

Five of South Africa's Most Charming Towns

Not every traveller is keen on big city life. Some opt for a more tranquil and immersive experience. Thousands of tourists flock to South Africa every year to experience the diversity, people, food and the most breathtaking destinations. For those keen to experience what life’s like living off the beaten path, we’ve curated some […]