I was looking at websites for some car rentals in cape town and was reading the terms and conditions and came across this:

"The driver must present a national driving licence held for a minimum of 3 years at the time of rental."

What does this mean? I've had a US license since I was 16 but was issued a new license last week. I will be travelling to SA in a few months. Does this mean I can't rent a car?

Thank you for all of your help.

Does your licence have the original issue date listed as well? This is a problem with the latest version of the South African ("credit card type&quot licence. Earlier versions also included the original issue date but the newest one doesn't. Meanwhile, I'll give Avis a call here and ask them.

I have the same issue -- my license was reissued in March 2004, but I have had a NY driving license for more than 20 years. I can't imagine this is an issue if you rent from one of the US companies, but I am curious what they say. Thanks

In the case of Avis, the requirement used to be three years, it is now one. Anyway, their answer was that for a non-S.A. licence it would be no problem if you were "obviously" 21 or over. (Or I guess you have proof of age.)

(They also said that in the case of the S.A. licence there was a "code" that indicated that it was a renewal. That's news to me, and I'm going to check my licence as soon as I get to my car. But in any event the S.A. licence is irrelevant to your question.)

When in SA, I generally rent from Avis through Autoeurope which contracts with Avis and have never had a problem with my US driver's license which shows only the renewal date.

I appreciate the help. Much thanks

Thanks Arthur. I am picking up an Avis rental car in Pietermaritzburg in June, so glad this won't be a distraction.