When the National Land Transport Amendment Act came into effect, all e-hailing platforms operating in South Africa were given 180 days to register with the Department of Transport. That window is now closing, and the status of different platforms varies significantly. Registration isn't just paperwork - platforms must demonstrate compliance with safety requirements including driver vetting, vehicle inspections, insurance coverage, and the technical safety features (panic buttons, trip sharing, etc.) mandated by the new law.

As of March 2026, here's where the major platforms stand: Registered and compliant: • WANATU - The first platform to complete full registration, positioning itself as the "compliance-first" option in South Africa • Bolt - Completed registration in February 2026, with all safety features deployed Registration in progress: • Uber - Has submitted registration documents but is reportedly negotiating certain technical requirements. Uber continues to operate legally while its application is being processed • InDriver - Application submitted, awaiting review Status unclear: • Several smaller platforms operating in specific cities have not publicly confirmed their registration status The Department of Transport has indicated that platforms with pending applications filed before the deadline will be allowed to continue operating while their registrations are processed. However, platforms that haven't applied at all face immediate shutdown orders.

Platforms that miss the deadline without filing face severe consequences: • Immediate cease-and-desist orders - The Department of Transport can order the platform to stop operating in South Africa • Fines up to R100,000 per day of non-compliance • App store removal requests - The government has indicated it will work with Apple and Google to remove non-compliant apps from SA app stores • Driver liability - Drivers operating on unregistered platforms may face personal fines and loss of their professional driving permits For passengers, using an unregistered platform means you're riding without the safety net of regulatory oversight. If something goes wrong, the platform has no legal obligation to assist you, and your insurance may not cover incidents during unregistered e-hailing trips.

Before your next ride, verify these things: 1. Check the app's registration status - Look for a Department of Transport registration number in the app's settings or legal section 2. Update to the latest version - Compliance features (panic buttons, trip sharing) are only available in recent app updates 3. Verify your driver independently - Platform registration doesn't guarantee every individual driver is compliant. Use RydeSafe to check the specific vehicle and driver assigned to your trip 4. Keep payment digital - Card payments create a paper trail. With new regulations, platforms are required to maintain detailed trip records for registered rides 5. Report issues - If your driver's vehicle doesn't display the required registration sticker, report it through the app and on RydeSafe

South Africa's e-hailing regulation is catching up to the industry's rapid growth. While registration doesn't solve every safety problem, it creates accountability. Platforms that invest in compliance are signalling that they take passenger and driver safety seriously. As this regulatory landscape evolves, RydeSafe remains your independent, community-driven safety layer. Regulations set the floor - community vigilance raises the bar. Check every ride, report every concern, and help build the safety database that protects all South African commuters.