If you are looking to move a vehicle, whether it’s a car, SUV, motorcycle or bakkie. There are a few things you will need to know. 🙂
Of course, you can just drive the vehicle there, but if you’re short on time, of watching the odometer amongst many other reasons, you’ll need to load it onto a flatbed, here are a few pointers.
- Your vehicle stays registered as is; no need to re-register the vehicle.
If you’re not changing provinces forever, nothing changes legally. Registration stays the same. - The transporter must be compliant.
- The moving company (transporter) must ensure:
– The vehicle used to carry your car is roadworthy and has a valid Certificate of Fitness (COF).
– All loads are properly secured and don’t obstruct visibility or contact the road.
– Drivers hold a valid drivers license for the vehicle towing your vehicle, and, if needed, a Professional Driver’s Permit (PrDP).
– Vehicle inspections are done before trips. - They follow regulations like the National Road Traffic Act and related safety standards.
- The transporter must secure your car properly so nothing slips, obscures the driver’s view, or touches the road, or even falls off mid-journey.
- Most companies offer basic insurance coverage, but we’d say… getting comprehensive insurance is smart. That means if there’s damage, you’re covered. Imagine hail halfway through the Karoo and they’re on a flatbed… or don’t. It can get ugly sometimes.
Other ways to move your car to another Province
Where do you even start? Other than using those big multi-level trucks (car carriers) that can carry multiple cars, you’ve got a few options for getting your car to another province:
We know what you’re thinking. When you see one of those multi-level car carriers on the highway, it’s natural to have a quick glance and wonder if any of those cars are touching. It’s a valid concern, but rest assured, the professionals we work with are masters of their craft.
They use specialized equipment and a meticulous loading process to ensure every vehicle is secured without a single point of contact. Your car will arrive in the same condition it was in when it left.
- Drive it yourself:
Obviously, but if you’re up for the road trip with your family or partner, it’s the cheapest and simplest. Get a price from us, as soon as you realize the effort to drive a car from Gauteng to Cape Town or back. - Hire a professional driver:
Some companies or individuals will drive your car to the new province for you. Sometimes they’re insured, sometimes not, so you’d need to check. Get a price now. - Tow it on a trailer:
Not recommended: But you can rent a car trailer (flatbed or two-wheel dolly) and tow it with another vehicle, if you or a friend has a tow-capable bakkie/SUV. - Rail transport:
Cars can be moved on trains (Transnet), definitely the cheapest option. This is less common now but still possible on certain long-distance routes. - Shipping container:
If it’s a cross-border or long-distance move with other household goods, you can load the car into a container along with your stuff and send it via freight, on the road or railroads.