About
What you should do
How long does it take
How much does it cost
Forms to complete
Who to contact
About applying for a letter of authority in respect of a motor vehicle
If you intend to import a new or used vehicle, goods vehicle or trailer, or to register a built (manufactured) or modified vehicle, you must first obtain a letter of authority from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).
You must have the letter of authority irrespective of whether the vehicle was built in South Africa or in a foreign country. Types of vehicle for which you require a letter of authority are:
- cars, buses and motorcycles
- goods vehicles (trucks or vans)
- trailers
- special vehicles such as mobile cranes, tractors and harvesters.
All motor vehicles, whether manufactured in South Africa or imported, must conform to the requirements as set out in the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996). Importers must also submit proof of conformity to the requirements of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
If the application is for one vehicle only, only the person in whose name the vehicle will be registered may complete the application form.
What you should do
- Download the application for the relevant letter of authority form or obtain it from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).
- Complete the form and send it to the NRCS with the required documents as listed on the form.
- Pay the required fee.
Forms to complete
- Application for letter of authority – LoA1 - to import and register/licence on motor vehicle
- Application Form - LOA2 - to import new motor vehicles into South Africa on a continuous basis
- Application Form - LOA3 - to import motor vehicles into South Africa for a specific purpose
- Application Form - LOAX - letter of authority or exemption to import motor vehicles into South Africa for a specific purpose
- Application Form - ALA - to register/license one motor vehicle which has been newly constructed or modified as per Road Traffic Act
Sifiso Phakathi
Tel: 012 482 8865
E-mail: phakatsz@nrcs.org.za
Charlotte Makou
Tel: 012 482 8785
E-mail:makouck@nrcs.org.za
Call Centre
Tel: 012 482 8700