Q: What methods of payment do we accept?
A: We accept all major credit cards - American Express, Diners Card, MasterCard and Visa. We only charge your credit card when you arrive at the rental kiosk for pick up.
Q: What is the minimum age to rent a car from First Car Rental?
A: You should be 23 or older with a valid drivers licence card that you have held for 2 or more years.
Special arrangements can be made if you are between 21 and 23 years old and have had a drivers licence for 2 years. There is a R100 surcharge per day for younger drivers.
Q: What type of driver's licence is accepted at First Car Rental?
A: A valid South African driving licence card with your green ID or a valid international driver's licence with your passport will be accepted.
Q: What do I need to bring when I hire a car from First Car Rental?
A: Please bring your online booking voucher, your drivers licence card, your credit card and your green ID or passport.
Please also note that two valid forms of identification and a second credit card will be requested for the following Vehicle Groups: D, E, K, F, J, I, Y & R.
Q: What is the cost for an additional driver and what is this cost for?
A: The fee of R140 applies per rental, irrespective of its length and is applied by most car rental companies.
This is for risk and administration related costs for multiple drivers.
Q: What happens if I get traffic fines?
A: The renter is liable for payment of all traffic fines. We charge a R175 traffic fine handling fee. This is charged to your credit card.
Q: Are there any hidden costs?
A: No, none at all.
Q: When will my final invoice be ready?
A: We are the only car rental company in South Africa that has all rental documentation available electronically (fully indexed) within 24 hours of termination of all rentals. Click here to download your invoice – have your reference/invoice number ready. (Link to cristil page)
Q: What do I do in the event of a breakdown?
A: Contact First Car Rental on the emergency Roadside Assistance toll free number – 086 0888 911 (SA Only). Please use the international dialling prefix of +27 if dialling outside of SA with a roaming cellphone.
The renter will be assisted in the following way:
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 Message Relay Service
First Car Rental will relay a message to a family member, friend or colleague anywhere in South Africa in the event of a breakdown or accident. |
Flat Tyre Assistance
If the vehicles spare tyre is inflated and serviceable, it will be installed to replace the flat tyre. When a serviceable spare tyre is not available, towing will be provided, at the renter’s expense. |
Battery Jump Start
If the vehicle’s battery is dead, the service provider will jump-start the vehicle. |
Vehicle Lockout Service
In the event of keys been locked in the vehicle, a locksmith will be appointed to unlock the vehicle, at the renter’s expense. |
Emergency Fuel Delivery
If the vehicle runs out of fuel, a limited supply will be delivered, to enable you to reach the nearest service station (Cost of fuel for renter’s account). |
Extrication/Winching Service
If a vehicle becomes stuck, it will be extricated or winched as long as it is adjacent to a passable, established road or thoroughfare and can be safely reached from the hard road surface, at the renter’s expense. |
Towing Service
Sometimes a breakdown will occur at inconvenient locations. If the vehicle breaks down and requires towing, contact First Car Rental and First Car Rental will appoint a towing operator to tow the vehicle to the nearest repairer, at the renter’s expense. |
Q: What do I do in the event of an accident or theft of my rental vehicle?
A: You are required to contact First Car Rental immediately on 0861 011 323
Where an accident has occurred, a full report must be made to the nearest Police Station within 24 hours and case number obtained.
In the case of theft, a full report must be made to the nearest Police Station immediately and a case number obtained.
A First Car Rental Accident & Theft report must be completed within 24hrs of either incident occurring. These are obtainable from any First Car Rental branch.
Please note that personal belongings stolen or lost during an accident or theft are not covered.
It would be advisable for renters to obtain personal belonging insurance prior to their trip.
A claim handling fee of R450 will be levied for all incidents.
Q: Do I have automatic Personal Accident Insurance when I rent a car?
A: No, this is optional and can be requested at time of pick up at R16 per day. Should Personal Accident Benefit (PAB) be purchased or included in the rate - all the occupants in the vehicle are collectively covered for death, disability and medical expenses up to a maximum of R20 000.00.
Q: What are collision damage/theft waivers and how do they apply to me?
A: When selecting your choice of vehicle, you have 3 options to choose from - these options are standard, super or executive package waivers.
These options differ in prices and include the group vehicle daily rate, the deposit required and the excess amount payable – In the event of an accident or theft, the renter is liable for the non-waiverable excess applicable to your rental package selected as shown below.
Please note that a renter is responsible for the full value of the relevant vehicle, should theft/accident be caused due to negligence.
SEE TABLE BELOW FOR EXCESSES PER VEHICLE GROUP.
Non-waiverable Excesses Applicable To Vehicle Groups and Insurance Option Packages:
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Group L
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Group A
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Group O
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Group A S
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Group B
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Group C
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Group D
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Group I
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Group Z
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Group E
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Group F
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Group K
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Group Y
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Group H
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R5 500
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R6 500
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R8 500
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R8 500
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R10 000
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R10 000
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R10 000
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R12 600
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R21 000
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R14 000
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R21 000
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R21 000
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R24 500
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R15 000
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R1 300
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R1 700
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R1 900
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R1900
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R1 900
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R3 200
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R2 600
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R2 500
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R5 000
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R5 000
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R4 500
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R4 900
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R4 900
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NA
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| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| Nil |
| NA |
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Q: What are the factors that negate waivers?
A: Gross negligence
A: Driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances
A: Unauthorised persons driving the vehicle
A: Unauthorised cross border rentals
A: Not adhering to traffic, road and driving regulations
A: Unsuitable driving or road conditions
A: No other vehicles involved in the collision unless exceptional circumstances apply
A: Not reporting the collision to First Car Rental and the nearest Police Station
A: Failure to obtain authorisation from First Car Rental to extend the pre-booked rental period
A: Failure in reporting the loss to First Car Rental within 3 hours in the event of theft
A: Failure to produce the vehicle keys in case of theft unless exceptional circumstances apply
A: Not reporting the exact details of the last known location of the vehicle prior to theft.
Q: Does the excess cover damage to tyres, windscreens and under-carriage damage?
A: No, the excess does not cover repairs to tyres, windscreens and under-carriage, and the costs for these repairs will be for the renter. Should these components be damaged as a result of an accident, they are covered by the excess.
Q: What about 3rd party claims?
A: If the renter is involved in an accident where the cause was not that of the renters, the renter is still responsible for the non-waiverable excess until such time as 3rd Party Recovery has been paid to First Car Rental.
First Car Rental will then reimburse the renter. The amount reimbursed will be subject to the 3rd Party Recovery amount.
Q: Should I fill my car up with fuel before I return it?
A: No. When a vehicle is returned to us at any one of our locations, we automatically top up the tank irrespective of what the fuel gauge reflects. Your invoice will reflect the actual fuel amount and we do not charge a refuelling fee.
Q: What is First Car Rental’s typical rental cycle?
A: Our car rentals are charged in 24hr cycles. Late return of vehicles will result in being charged for a further day.
Q: What I want to extend my rental period?
A: If you wish to extend the rental beyond the original return date, authorisation must be obtained from First Car Rental prior to the expiry of your rental agreement. Contact your branch directly. Failure to do so will result in First Car Rental reporting the car stolen and it immediately negates all waivers. Additional days will be charged directly to your credit card at the extension rates.
Q: What is an airport surcharge and is this included in the online rates?
A: A 9% airport surcharge is applicable for all rentals from airports. This surcharge is included in all of our online rates and imposed on all rental companies by the Airports Company Ltd (A.C.S.A).
Q: What is a tourism levy?
A: A 1% tourism levy is charged on all rentals and is included in your daily rate. The levy goes towards supporting SA tourism.
Q: How much is the contract fee?
A: Our contract fee is included in the daily rate.
Q: What are the rules for crossing borders into other countries?
A: A letter of authorisation must be requested at the time of reservation for all cross border travelling.
We need 4 days advance notification for Zimbabwe as Authorities now require the original registration documents for all vehicles crossing the border.
First Car Rental will not be held responsible if a renter is refused entry into another country.
Vehicles are permitted into Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique
Vehicles are NOT permitted into Angola and Zambia (Zambia is under review).
A penalty fee of up to ZAR5000 may be levied if the documentation is not produced.
A Non-refundable fee will be levied for vehicles crossing any of the below mentioned permitted borders and is payable directly by the renter:
| NON-REFUNDABLE FEE: |
CROSS BORDER FEES: |
| Botswana - R1000 |
Botswana - R1000 |
| Lesotho - R400 |
Lesotho - R400 |
| Mozambique - R1000 |
Mozambique - R1000 |
| Namibia - R1000 |
Namibia - R1000 |
| Swaziland - R200 |
Swaziland - R200 |
| Zimbabwe - R1000 |
Zimbabwe - R1000 |
The following vehicles are not permitted to cross any of the following borders: Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique: E (SDAR), Z (SCAR), K (PDAR), F (SFAR), I (IVMR), Y (LVMR) & R (SDMR)
One way rentals to Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe are not permitted.
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