Transport Dept Orders E-Hailing Operators to Convert to New Legal Licences

A central requirement of the regulatory overhaul is that all e-hailing apps and digital platforms must be formally registered with the NPTR, which falls under the Department of Transport.

The Department of Transport has issued a firm directive urging all e-hailing operators and digital platform providers to convert their existing charter permits and meter-taxi operating licences into e-hailing operating licences. This comes amid growing concern that many operators and platform companies have been slow in complying with the requirements of the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR).

With the deadline fast approaching, the department has warned that operators who fail to convert their documents or whose platforms are not registered with the NPTR will be deemed illegal once the 180-day transition period lapses on 12 March 2026.

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Digital Platforms Must Register with NPTR

A central requirement of the regulatory overhaul is that all e-hailing apps and digital platforms must be formally registered with the NPTR, which falls under the Department of Transport.

“Without a registered app, no operator will be able to convert to an e-hailing operating licence or apply for a new e-hailing operating licence,” the department cautioned.

This means that platform companies—such as ride-hailing app developers and service providers—are legally required to submit their applications before operators can receive or convert their licences.

Unregistered platforms will not appear in NPTR databases, resulting in operators being unable to apply for, renew or convert their operating licences at the provincial level.

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Legal Basis: National Land Transport Amendment Act

The requirement stems from the National Land Transport Amendment Act, 2009 (Act No. 5 of 2009) and its corresponding Regulations. The amended Act modernises South Africa’s transport regulatory framework to accommodate the rapid growth of digital and app-based transport services.

The legislation seeks to:

• Bring e-hailing services under the same regulatory umbrella as traditional metered taxis

• Ensure passenger safety and accountability

• Improve oversight of commercial passenger transport

• Encourage fair competition between transport modes

• Professionalise and stabilise the e-hailing industry

The department said compliance is not optional, and failure to register will have immediate consequences for operators and platform providers alike.

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Deadline: 180 Days to Avoid Becoming Illegal Operators

The conversion window, effective from 12 September 2025, gives e-hailing operators 180 days to:

1. Ensure that the digital platform they use (Uber, Bolt, InDriver, or any local app) is registered with the NPTR

2. Convert existing charter or meter-taxi permits into e-hailing operating licences

After the 180-day period:

• Operators without the correct licence will be considered illegal

• Enforcement actions may include fines, impoundments, and suspension of rights to operate

• Provincial regulators will only accept applications linked to platforms visible in their NPTR-registered database

The department noted that operators relying on unregistered apps will have no legal avenue to operate, even if they personally attempt to comply.

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Application Process for E-Hailing Platform Providers

The Department of Transport has published detailed guidelines through its E-Hailing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Platform providers must:

• Complete Form 9A, available on the department website under the NPTR section

• Submit applications in person, via email, or by post

• Pay an application fee of R5 000, which covers a 7-year registration period

NPTR Contact Details

Applicants can reach the NPTR office through:

• Telephone: 012 309 3752 / 309 3237 / 309 3024

• Email: NPTR@dot.gov.za

The department strongly encourages platform companies to submit applications early to avoid processing delays.

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Industry Impact: What This Means for Operators

The new regulations are expected to have a wide-ranging impact on the e-hailing sector:

1. Legally Protected Operations

Operators will be formally recognised as legitimate transport service providers.

2. Passenger Safety Improvements

Platform registration enhances regulatory oversight, background checks and accountability.

3. Fair Competition with Metered Taxis

Bringing all operators under uniform regulation ensures a level playing field.

4. Reduced Conflict and Enforcement Issues

Clear, enforceable licensing rules will reduce disputes among operators, law-enforcement and regulatory bodies.

5. Better Data for Future Transport Planning

NPTR registration enhances government capacity to integrate e-hailing into broader transport strategies.

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A Call for Urgent Compliance

The Department of Transport has reiterated that compliance is urgent and mandatory. Both platform providers and operators must ensure that their registrations and licence conversions are completed well before the 180-day deadline.

Failure to comply will result in thousands of operators being classified as illegal, potentially disrupting transport services in major cities and affecting livelihoods.

The department urged the entire sector—platform companies, drivers, regulators and industry partners—to work collaboratively toward a modern, safe and regulated e-hailing environment.