Vehicle registration: change of ownership, forms and proxy letters

Every vehicle on a South African road must be registered in its owner’s name at a registering authority. Car registration comes up when you buy or sell a vehicle, import, inherit or scrap one, or when a company or someone acting for you handles it with a proxy letter. This hub covers change of ownership, the forms, traffic register numbers and proxies.

Vehicle licensing or registration overview

Registration puts the vehicle in the owner’s name and produces the registration certificate. Licensing is the annual renewal that keeps it on the road; see vehicle licence renewal. Both are recorded on NaTIS and handled by registering authorities.

Eligibility and documents

For a change of ownership, gov.za lists (gov.za: change of owner or particulars):

• The ID of the new owner (or, for foreign nationals, the ID document and a temporary residence permit).
• Proof of residential address, or a dated letter from a ward councillor for residents of informal settlements.
• The registration certificate from the seller.
• A roadworthy certificate. See roadworthy certificate.
• A mass measurement certificate if the vehicle’s tare has changed.
• For company vehicles, the company registration documents.

Change of ownership forms

Two NaTIS forms are used, both free from the NaTIS road traffic forms page on natis.gov.za:

• NCO, “Notification of change of ownership / sale of motor vehicle”, completed by the seller. It is often called the yellow form.
• RLV, “Application for registration and licencing of motor vehicle”, completed by the buyer. See the RLV form.

Other vehicle forms you may meet: ACR (application for certification of roadworthiness), ADV (application for deregistration) and DRC (duplicate registration certificate). See the forms library.

How to apply or renew

1. The seller submits the NCO and hands over the registration certificate.
2. The buyer gets a roadworthy certificate where required and completes the RLV.
3. The buyer takes the RLV and documents to a registering authority. gov.za requires changes to be reported within 21 days, and late registration attracts penalties.
4. Pay the registration and licence fees and receive the new registration certificate and disc.

More: change of ownership and the 21-day rule.

Traffic register number (TRN)

A traffic register number lets people who do not have a South African ID number, usually foreign nationals, register and licence a vehicle or get a driving licence on NaTIS (gov.za: apply for a traffic register number). You apply at a registering authority with form ANR (application and notice in respect of traffic register number). Companies use a business registration number (BRN) instead. See traffic register number.

Proxy letters and representatives

A company cannot stand at the counter itself. It appoints a proxy, a named person authorised by a letter of proxy to act for it, and a representative for administrative contact; they can be the same person. The organisation transacts under its BRN, and the proxy brings a certified copy of their ID and the organisation’s registration documents.

• Someone renewing or registering for a private owner: letter of proxy.
• Specific transactions: letter of authority.

NaTIS online options

Licence disc renewal is available on NaTIS Online for qualifying vehicles, but registration and change of ownership still need a visit to a registering authority.

Fees and payment checks

Registration and licensing fees are set provincially and depend on the vehicle. Change-of-ownership fees are set by regulation and have changed in recent years, so confirm the amount with the registering authority. See traffic department prices.

Roadworthy requirements where applicable

A roadworthy certificate is normally needed when a used vehicle changes ownership. Police clearance is needed in specific cases, such as imported, rebuilt or recovered stolen vehicles, or engine and VIN discrepancies. See police clearance.

Deregistering a vehicle

gov.za lists the grounds as a vehicle permanently unfit for use, stolen, demolished or exempt from registration. The ADV application is free and processed the same day, and a vehicle not licensed for four years is deregistered automatically (gov.za: deregister a motor vehicle). See deregistering a vehicle.

Where to submit or collect

At a registering authority. Use traffic department near me or the office directory.

Common problems and next steps

• Bought a used car: bought a used car.
• New vehicle from a dealer: new vehicle registration.
• Registration certificate lost: duplicate certificate.
• Owner has died: deceased estate.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register a car?

It depends on the province, the vehicle and any arrears or penalties. Ask the registering authority for the total.

Can someone else register my car for me?

Yes, with a letter of proxy and the required identity documents. Companies must use a proxy.

Which form do I need for a change of ownership?

The seller completes the NCO and the buyer the RLV.

What if I miss the 21-day deadline?

You can still register, but penalties may be added.

Is a power of attorney the same as a proxy?

For vehicle transactions the registering authority works with a letter of proxy or authority in the prescribed form. Ask which it accepts.

Back to the traffic department overview.

Also in this section: vehicle licensing and registration