Reviewed 30 October 2026. Foreign visitors can drive in South Africa when their licence meets the applicable requirements. Before booking a Cape Town rental car, check the original documents you must bring, the payment card accepted for your vehicle category, the temporary authorisation hold and the exact cover in your quote. Those collection details deserve as much attention as the daily rental price.

A car gives you flexibility for a Cape Peninsula stay, including Simon's Town, coastal stops and Cape Point. It also brings practical responsibilities: left-hand driving, parking, route choices and returning the vehicle on the agreed terms. Arrange a transfer or guided day instead when you would prefer someone else to handle the driving.

Start with the licence and the named driver

Bring your original valid driving licence and passport. South Africa's consular guidance says that licences in a language other than English require an International Driving Permit. Obtain any required permit before travel and carry it with your national licence. Ask the rental company to confirm acceptance of your particular documents before making a non-refundable booking.

Rental eligibility can add conditions concerning age, how long you have held a licence and the vehicle category. Have every intended driver approved and listed on the rental agreement. Do not assume that a travelling companion may take over simply because they have a valid licence.

Check the card and the hold before you pay

Policies vary by supplier and booking. As a concrete example, Avis's current collection guide requires an accepted payment card in the main renter's name, and some vehicle categories require two cards. Check your own booking confirmation and branch requirements rather than assuming another company's rules apply.

Ask for the estimated rental charge and temporary authorisation hold separately. The hold can reduce your available card balance during the trip, and its release depends on the supplier and your bank. Confirm how fuel, additional services and any later adjustments will be handled. A prepaid rental may still require an accepted card and hold at collection.

Compare the complete quote

When reviews appear contradictory, compare like with like. Read recent feedback about the actual collection branch, then examine the written quote for your dates and vehicle category. A different location, insurance package or return arrangement can produce a very different experience under the same brand name.

Check the excess or responsibility amount, tyre and glass provisions, kilometre allowance, fuel policy, additional-driver fee and out-of-hours arrangements. Ask about one-way fees if you plan to return the car somewhere else. Have unclear cover or exclusions explained by the supplier in writing. Keep the final confirmation available offline so you can compare it with the agreement at the counter.

Inspect the car before leaving the branch

Walk around the vehicle with a representative and have existing damage recorded. Take your own dated photographs of the bodywork, wheels, windscreen and fuel reading. Check that the inspection record matches what you see, and raise discrepancies before driving away. This is also the right moment to ask where the breakdown number and emergency equipment are kept.

Give yourself a few quiet minutes to adjust the seat and mirrors, connect navigation and understand the controls. If you normally drive on the right, pay particular attention when leaving parking areas and turning at junctions. The Department of Tourism's travel guidance covers left-hand traffic, seatbelts and mobile-phone use.

Plan the first drive around your arrival

Consider the length of your flight and your confidence driving in unfamiliar surroundings. A transfer on arrival can be sensible when you expect to be tired; collect a car later if that better suits your plans. Download your destination and route before leaving the terminal, and confirm the guesthouse's arrival instructions rather than relying on a place name alone.

Keep the first day manageable. You do not need to combine airport collection, a full Peninsula circuit and several timed attractions immediately after landing. Our airport-to-Simon's Town guide explains the main arrival choices.

Wooden steps and a coastal boardwalk beside vegetation on the Simon's Town shoreline — Allow time to explore on foot after parking at a coastal stop.

Allow for parking and time on foot

Small beach access points and popular attraction car parks can fill up. Choose legal spaces, leave driveways and emergency access clear, and allow time to walk from the car to the beach or entrance. A roadside view on a map does not guarantee a suitable stopping place. Carry valuables with you and arrange luggage storage with your accommodation when possible.

For a Peninsula day, choose a realistic main attraction and a few optional stops. Check current weather and road notices, and be willing to change the route. If your plans include wine tasting, arrange a suitable driver or transport beforehand. Keep the drive back within your comfort level rather than adding stops until the day runs late.

Make the return as clear as the collection

Confirm the correct return location, opening hours and fuel arrangement. Leave time for refuelling and finding the entrance to the rental return area. Ask how an after-hours key drop is documented if you need one. Keep the return receipt and final photographs, and check the closing account against the agreed terms.

For a coastal base with secure onsite parking, Aqua Terra welcomes up to ten guests aged 12 and older across five suites. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included. You can explore the suite options and check availability for a stay that gives the Cape Peninsula some breathing room.

Check dates for your Cape Peninsula stay