Frequently Asked Questions

If you have received a reservation number (e.g. 4321-1234-ZA-1), your rental car has been booked and confirmed. There is nothing left for you to do but collect it.

You will need to have the following when collecting your car:

• Credit card in the driver's name
• Valid driver's licence

If you have pre-paid for your car rental you will need to produce the same credit card that you used for the rental as well as the pre-paid voucher (unless stipulated that no voucher is required).

International visitors to South Africa will need to produce a valid passport as well.

Renters and additional drivers must in possession of a valid unendorsed driver's license. 

International driver's licenses are accepted under the conditions that: 

1. The license is in English.
2. The license has a photo or ID/passport number on it. 
3. The licence has a signature on it. 

In the event that a photo is not present, the ID document or passport with a photo is required for the identification of the customer. The ID/passport number should match the number on the license. 

In the event that the license is in another language, an international driver's license should accompany the foreign driver's license. No driving permits or certified copies/copies of the original driver's license, may be accepted. A translated version of the license, stamped by the embassy, can be accepted when accompanied by the license. 

International visitors must also produce a valid passport. To avoid complications when collecting a vehicle we advise foreign travellers to produce a driver's license which has been issued in the same country as their passport. 

You can pay online or at the rental counter when you collect your vehicle, using a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners and hybrid cheque cards (debit card are not accepted).  If you have paid online, please don't forget to bring the same card you made your booking with when you collect your rental car. The payment card must be in the renter's name.

At the rental counter we simply hold an authorisation amount on your credit card which will only be debited for the final amount once the car has been returned.

Avis accepts the following methods of payment:

• Credit card - Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express
• Cheque card
• Avis corporate or travel voucher (an Avis corporate or Travel account is required for this method of payment)

Avis does accept some debit cards, please click here to check if your card is accepted. Please click here to check.

Avis does not accept cash or nameless debit cards.

Please note: Avis Namibia do not accept any Cheque or Debit cards.

vehicle from one of the following branches, whether during the week or over a weekend, a new authorisation hold of R10 000 will be held on the payment card, over and above the standard authorisation hold taken for each rental. This authorisation replaces the weekend authorisation mentioned above.

• Amanzimtoti
• Ballito
• Bethlehem
• Bloemfontein Airport
• Bloemfontein Downtown
• Centurion
• Durban Downtown
• East London Airport
• East London Downtown
• Emalahleni
• Empangeni
• Harrismith
• Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
• Isando
• Jeffreys Bay
• King Shaka International Airport
• King Williamstown
• Kokstad
• Krugersdorp
• Kruger Mpumulanga Airport
• Ladysmith
• Lanseria Airport
• Lephalale
• Mmabatho Downtown
• Margate
• Menlyn
• Midrand Grand Central Airport
• Mondeor
• Mthatha Airport
• Musina
• Nelspruit
• Newcastle
• OR Tambo International Airport
• Oribi Airport
• Phalaborwa Airport
• Pinetown
• Polokwane Airport
• Port Alfred
• Port Elizabeth Airport
• Port Elizabeth Downtown
• Potchefstroom
• Pretoria Downtown
• Richards Bay
• Rustenburg
• Sandton Gautrain
• Secunda
• Soweto
• St Lucia
• Strand
• Stellenbosch
• Sunninghill
• Thohoyandou
• Tzaneen
• Ulundi Airport
• Umhlanga
• Vereeniging
• Vryburg
• Vryheid
• Welkom

This applies to all rentals and will only be waived for Avis President Club members or upon presentation of a valid airline boarding pass.

What is a valid boarding pass/e-ticket printout?

The rental must take place on the same day as the flight for the boarding pass/e-ticket to be considered. The name on the boarding pass must be the same as the name of the renter. 

Authorisation Amount Explained

When collecting the car

• Avis requests your bank to reserve a temporary authorisation hold against the funds of your card.
• Your bank will usually present this as a pending transaction that reduces the money you have available to spend.
• This might appear as a debit on your statement, but it is not. 
• No funds are debited from your bank account.
• This temporary authorisation hold will be the estimated cost of your rental (including a security authorisation and any extras accepted) less any amount paid in advance. An additional location specific / weekend authorisation hold may apply. 

When returning the car

• Once your bank account has been debited with the invoice amount, the temporary authorisation hold will be released by your bank. 
• As this was a temporary authorisation hold and not debited, the release will not be shown as a transaction on your bank statement, instead your available balance will increase. 
• The time to release the temporary authorisation hold is dependant on your bank, and in certain instances it may take up to 30 days before it is released.

Please contact your bank for any authorisation hold queries. 

Please Note: Your bank account could reflect two amounts before the temporary authorisation hold is released. The initial temporary authorisation hold as obtained at vehicle collection and the actual debit for the invoice amount

What is my liability and how do I reduce it?

The liability is the amount you pay if your hire vehicle is damaged or stolen (or part there of).  The amount will depend on the vehicle you hire and whether you choose to reduce the liability by upgrading your level of waiver.

When you hire a vehicle with us, you have an option of standard waivers for vehicle damage (Collision Damage Waiver) and vehicle theft waiver (Theft Loss Waiver) or reduce your liability further with the super option. 

If you have already booked your rental car and would like to upgrade your cover you can call Avis direct or when collecting your rental car to reduce your liability.

The Avis Brand Ambassador will offer the following additional options when collecting your rental car:

• Personal Accident Insurance
• Windscreen and Tyre Damage Waiver
• Super Waivers (if you have not booked on super waiver inclusive rates already)

While we recommend purchasing these they are not mandatory.

We will do our utmost to meet your request however we cannot guarantee a specific vehicle make or model.

If you have prepaid for your rental and cancel the booking a cancellation fee will be charged as follows:

• At least 3 complete days before 'pick up'  - The lower of (i) the full amount you have paid us, or (ii) ZAR550.00.
• Less than 3 complete days before 'pick up' - The lower of (i) the full amount you paid us, or (ii) 3 days' worth of your booking.
• On day of 'pick up' or if you do not cancel and fail to show-up - No refund. We will retain the full amount.

If you have chosen to pay for your rental when you collect your vehicle there will be no cancellation fee if you cancel before 'pick up' but should you fail to collect the vehicle without cancelling a 'non-cancellation' fee of ZAR550.00 will be charged.

Avis Prestige

Please note - if you have booked an Avis Prestige vehicle the following cancellation fee's will apply:

• Cancellation or amendment to check-out date and check-out date less than 7 days before the check-out will attract a cancellation fee of up to 50% of the confirmed rental.
• If your rental is confirmed within the cancellation period, the full charges will be applied if cancelled.

Once a rental is in progress, the full number of days booked will be charged if the vehicle is returned earlier.

Yes, all you need to do is contact Avis and we will extend your car rental to the date and time advised. When extending a rental an additional authorisation will be reserved on your credit card straight away for the extra costs.

If you have been in an accident you need to take care of yourself and your passengers first and foremost. If there are any injuries please contact emergencies services straight away.

When you are able to please call the 24 hour Avis Roadside and Emergencies call center on 0800 001 669 or +27 11 387 8432 to report the accident. We will provide assistance with emergency services if required and arrange for the vehicle to be towed.

Standard procedures need to be followed with all accidents, please take all the details of any third parties involved and report the accident to the police. We also recommend taking photos of the accident to assist with your claim.

Unfortunately, with the nature of any vehicle, mechanical faults do occur from time to time.

If your rental car happens to break down please call the 24 hour Avis Roadside and Emergencies call centre on 0800 001 669 or +27 11 387 8432 where agents are on standby to assist you.

Yes, you will receive your rental car with a full tank of petrol.

When returning the car you can either fill the tank or let us fill it for you. The petrol that we use to fill the car will be added to your invoice at the standard petrol price.

A Refuelling Service Fee of up to ZAR50.00 applies to all rentals that require refuelling.

Bookings can be cancelled online or calling Avis directly and should be done at least 24 hours in advance to avoid the non-cancellation fee.

A non-cancellation fee of ZAR550 (including VAT) in South Africa will be charged to a customer when a booking is not cancelled prior to the date and time of the reservation and/or as a result of failure to pick up a vehicle within 24 hours of the confirmed date and time.

A surcharge is imposed by the Airports Company (ACSA) Ltd at certain airport locations and applies to all car rental companies.

The outlying area surcharge is levied by smaller and remote locations due to higher logistics costs of operating at these locations.

Members of the South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) agreed to impose a 1% tourism levy, to be used to promote tourism in South Africa under the auspices of SATOUR and SATBC.

This is for the risk and administration related costs for multiple drivers. Your rental will be charged with an additional driver fee, per additional driver.

In South Africa the fee is ZAR532 (incl. VAT).

When renting in car in South Africa the administration fee is ZAR 500.00, however if the damage amount is less than ZAR 300.00 then the administration fee is ZAR 150.00. 

Above fees include VAT

There will be a traffic fine administration fee of ZAR405 (incl. VAT) in the event that the renter may receive a traffic fine whilst renting the Avis vehicle.

A one way fee is a set fee charged when the rental vehicle is returned to a different location than where it was collected.  This does not apply to all locations.  Generally , these charges apply when long distances are involved. This will be stated at time of reservation or when you get a quote.

To rent a car in South Africa, you need to be at least 18 years of age and have held a driving licence for at least a year. 

Renters must be in possession of a valid unendorsed driver's licence.

You pay for each day you hire a vehicle, which is based on 24 hours rental period. If you return your hired vehicle within 24 hours, you'll still be charged for the full day. 

There is also no penalty for returning our vehicle up to 29 minutes late, but for returns after this time an extra day will be charged. 

We understand you might get delayed, so we try to be flexible. If you’re running late or need to extend your car rental - do make sure you contact us as soon as possible. Should you return the vehicle late - without notifying us or extending your hire - you may be subject to additional charges.

In South Africa, a daily rate is charged per 24 hours with a 29 minute grace period. Should you return the vehicle late and the time exceeds the grace period an extra day's rental will be charged to you.

Certain countries charge a late return fee. Please check the terms and conditions for the country that you are renting in to see if the late return fee will be applied.

How is a late return fee applied?

• If you overrun past your agreed return date and time, you will incur a late return fee
• If you still haven't returned the vehicle 24 hours later, then another late return fee will be applied
• A late return fee will continue to be added every 24 hour period thereafter, until you return the vehicle to the rental station

Please note, if you return your vehicle after the agreed date and time, you will pay an additional days rental charge - plus a late return fee for each day (or part of a day) that you are late.

Depending on the country of rental, the daily late return fee will be (inclusive of VAT):

• £12
• CHF16.20
• 125 (DKR, NKR or SKR)
• Between €10 and €12.30 (country dependant)
• Or the equivalent amount in local currency

Rental Agreement
Please always review the rental terms and conditions and your rental agreement when you check the vehicle out. You can also find the relevant contact details on your rental agreement.

If the driver is below the age of 25 a Young Drivers Surcharge of R155.00 per day will apply (for a maximum of 10 days).

Please note that to download and install the new Avis South Africa app you need to be signed into your South African Apple iTunes account.