A police clearance on a vehicle confirms that its identifying numbers have been checked against police records and that nothing untoward is recorded against it. It is required for certain registration transactions, and it is worth understanding even when it is not required, because it is one of the few checks that protects a buyer against a stolen or misrepresented vehicle.
This guide covers when clearance is needed, where it is done, what is examined, and what to do if you have doubts about a vehicle’s history.
Requirements and processes are set by the authorities and administered through the police and registering authorities. TrafficDepartment.co.za is an independent information resource and does not conduct clearances.
When it is required
- Registering a built up or rebuilt vehicle. See built up vehicles.
- Registering certain imported vehicles.
- Restoring a vehicle whose registration has lapsed. See licences expired for years.
- Where identifying numbers are damaged, altered or unclear.
- Where the registering authority requires it for the transaction in question.
What is examined
The vehicle’s identifying numbers are inspected physically and checked against records. The purpose is to confirm the vehicle is what the documents say it is, and that it is not recorded as stolen or otherwise flagged.
The vehicle generally has to be presented, which means this is not a paperwork exercise you can complete remotely.
Where it is done
Through the police, at a designated point rather than at any station. Ask your registering authority where clearance is done for your area when you confirm the transaction requirements. See where to register a vehicle.
Using it as a buyer
Even where clearance is not strictly required, a buyer with doubts about a vehicle’s history has a legitimate reason to ask for one. A seller with nothing to hide has little reason to object, and the check is considerably cheaper than discovering a problem after paying. See buying a used car.
Warning signs worth acting on
- Identifying numbers that look tampered with, ground down or re stamped.
- Numbers that do not match the registration certificate.
- A seller who is not the registered owner and cannot explain why.
- A missing registration certificate with a promise to obtain one later.
- Pressure to complete the sale quickly and deal with paperwork afterwards.
- A price substantially below what the vehicle should be worth.
If something is found
A vehicle flagged during clearance is a matter for the police rather than an administrative hurdle, and the transaction will not proceed. If you have already paid, that is a serious situation and worth taking advice on promptly.
Why identity checks matter more than condition checks
Buyers instinctively worry about mechanical condition, which is visible, expensive and fixable. The greater risk is the one nobody can see from the driver’s seat: that the vehicle is not what the paperwork says it is.
A mechanical problem costs money. A vehicle with a compromised identity can be seized, cannot be registered, and leaves the buyer with neither vehicle nor recourse against a seller who has disappeared. That asymmetry is why the identity check is worth taking seriously even though it feels like the more remote risk.
- Mechanical faults are visible, priceable and negotiable.
- Identity problems are invisible and can be total losses.
- The seller is the only party who knows the vehicle’s history, and may not tell you.
- A clearance check is cheap relative to the exposure it covers.
Before you present the vehicle
Make sure the identifying numbers are accessible and clean, and take the registration certificate and your identification. If the numbers are hard to reach or partially obscured, expect that to slow the inspection. See registration certificates.
Related guides
- Vehicle registration hub
- Roadworthy certificates
- Registration certificates
- Change of ownership
- Official sources
Can I request a clearance on a car I have not bought yet?
The vehicle has to be presented, so this needs the seller’s cooperation. A seller who refuses without a good reason has told you something worth knowing, and a seller who agrees has given you real reassurance.
Does clearance guarantee the vehicle is problem free?
It confirms what the check covers, which is identity against records. It is not a mechanical inspection and not a guarantee about the vehicle’s condition or its finance position.
What if I already registered the vehicle and a problem emerges later?
Take advice promptly and preserve every document from the purchase, including the agreement of sale, proof of payment and the seller’s details. Those records are what any recourse depends on.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need police clearance to buy a used car?
Not for an ordinary transfer of a normally registered vehicle. It becomes a requirement for particular categories, and an option worth considering whenever you have doubts.
Where do I get one?
Through the police, at a designated point. Ask your registering authority which applies to your area, since it is not every station.
Does the vehicle have to be present?
Generally yes, since the identifying numbers are physically inspected. Plan for taking the vehicle rather than only the documents.
How long does it take?
It varies by location and demand. Ask when you enquire, particularly if a registration deadline is running.
Is a clearance the same as a roadworthy?
No. Clearance concerns identity and records. A roadworthy concerns condition and safety. Some transactions need both. See roadworthy certificates.
What if the numbers are damaged through ordinary wear?
Raise it with the authority. It may still need investigation, and dealing with it openly is far better than hoping it goes unnoticed at a transaction.