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Can I register to buy a vehicle in RSA before I am in RSA? Can I register to buy a vehicle in RSA before I am in RSA?
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 18 Jan 2015
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Can I register to buy a vehicle in RSA before I am in RSA?
Can anyone shed any light on this? I've read the RSA government website (http://www.gov.za/services/register-...egister-number) but am struggling to work out what this means in practice.

At the moment I have a bike in RSA registered in my brothers name (he is a UK national but permanent resident in RSA). I couldn't (easily) register the bike in my name since for the dealer to do so I was told I had to get a 'traffic register number'. To get this I need to go to the local driving licence centre and provide finger prints (so can't do it remotely).

My issue is that I am only planning to be in Cape Town for a week before setting off across Africa. However it takes a few weeks to get this number once I apply. I therefore really want to be in a position to register the bike either before I arrive in the country (ideally) as soon as I arrive or, (at worst) immediately on arrival.

The link seems to suggest that you can get onto their system by either getting a traffic registration number, or using a foreign identification document. I am hoping this later option gives me an alternative route but I am struggling to find out if it does and if so, how.

Anyone able to help?

Cheers
Andy
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  #2  
Old 19 Jan 2015
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Traffic register certificate
normaly they issue this while you wait, you need a copy of your foreign passport, 2 passport pictures and an address in South Africa


cheers
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  #3  
Old 31 Jan 2015
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To register the bike in your name, as a foriegn national, you will need a TRN.

To get a TRN you'll need to be there in person.

So to answer your question, no.

However there are a number of services in SA that allow you to do things remotely, such as: Queuing Service - Apply for Passport Online | Don’t Queue

Also the application of large amounts of cash greases most government wheels in SA, I mean if you can buy passports and IDs then a TRN should be no problem.

Anything is possible when you're in country the problem is doing it remotely.
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Old 1 Feb 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bundubasher View Post
To register the bike in your name, as a foriegn national, you will need a TRN.

To get a TRN you'll need to be there in person.

So to answer your question, no.

However there are a number of services in SA that allow you to do things remotely, such as: Queuing Service - Apply for Passport Online | Don’t Queue

Also the application of large amounts of cash greases most government wheels in SA, I mean if you can buy passports and IDs then a TRN should be no problem.

Anything is possible when you're in country the problem is doing it remotely.
I know corruption is a problem in Africa and also in South Africa. I'm however not sure promoting corruption is the best way to go. Some people (me included) live in South Africa and these kind of comments may not be the best thing for those living there and trying to stop corruption.

Not having a go at anyone...just saying.
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Old 3 Feb 2015
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I'm not promoting corruption just recognising it, just like everyone who lives in JZ's South Africa does.
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