Thanks for posting this!

I am heading out to South Africa in less than a month and will be buying a Toyota Hilux from a private owner and the registration issue is causing me a headache. I just have this question: I understand that eventually you just printed the lease and invoice for your accommodation and filled in the details but how did you get a signature of the owner (on the lease) and the cashier (on the invoice)? Did you just ask the people at the hostel to sign it? Did you actually have to pay the 25k Rand or did you tell them it's for the purpose of registering the bike?

How did other people actually pull it off in Johannesburg? Has anyone had a friend actually write a letter that the foreigner actually stays with them perhaps?

Seems to me a good motorcycle dealer may be able to apply for and receive all the required paperwork, forms and do all the work for you. You just supply him your ID, Passport, et al, you get legal bike registration and ride away.

Possible?

Usually dealers know these systems well, know all the staff at govt. offices and all the "shortcuts" to make it quicker and easier. You supply the money, dealer gets it done.

What about buying used bike from private party? I guess you just leave the registration in owners name, get permiso from
Police and go? But how would you sell it off again?

Hi Vanshar

To answer your question - i signed all the documents myself - i didnt ask for assistance from anyone at the hostel as they were very unwilling to help . And no i did not pay the 25K rand .
(The documents were created to satisfy the requirement for the application of the TRN. When i handed them in the supervisor didn't spend more than 2 seconds looking at them before confirming. They are interested in the Visa/Stamp issue .

I've heard of a few other people that also went through this tiring process and eventually after 3 weeks they were able to hit the road. I do not know how they made it happen but im guessing it was similar to my way.

Because you are buying from a private owner im not sure how you'll be able to present them (traffic dep.) with a proof of payment for the vehicle ( I bought from a dealership so they just printed one out for me )- but thats something you can ask them when you're there .

Regarding what Mollydog said - its true that the dealers know the system very well and they will do all the work for you, but you have to have a local Traffic Registry Number (TRN). They cannot sell you a vehicle if you do not have one. I met with quite a few dealers and they all confirmed that. They are very willing to help but are usually quite limited with what they can do for foreigners.

Thank you very much for this clarification Ido! The guide is extremely helpful for me and i will happily buy you a pint if we happen to be in Joburg at the end of March.

Vanshar - how'd it go?

I ask as several people have found it impossible to register a vehicle in their own names. They were on tourist visas but now the TRN regs require a work or students permit. In order to pass it on I would be interested in when and where you got it done. Thanks,

enzo

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Enzo

Bundubasher - i've just arrived in Joburg and intend to follow Ido's instructions. I will let you know how it goes on Wednesday (or Friday). In the meantime i also found this: Foreigner want to purchase a car- info needed - 4x4 Community Forum.

My guess is that it is highly dependent on the office/people you'll deal with and even if there are new regulations they may not realize that yet(!). Anyway - watch this space!

Oh and there is another fresh thread here: Can non-residents buy and register bikes in South Africa?

The chap I was dealing with tried numerous different offices, printed out the web advice etc but no joy. He called eNaTIS and according to them it seems the existing government webpages concerning the TRN are outdated. Good luck with finding someone who can help and I'd love to hear your updated information.

Some info here:
http://www.africa4x4cafe.com/htm/afr...cafe_faq.htm#T

And this is the letter the guy was shown by the registration officer:
http://www.africa4x4cafe.com/docs/trn.jpg

PS: Sorry! I forgot to say he was buying a 4x4 not a bike! I hope this makes the difference you are looking for! Go well, enzo

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Enzo