How South Africans Are Using Their Cars
Okay, grab a cuppa, let's chat! Eish, petrol prices, right? And groceries, and pretty much everything else. It feels like our wallets are constantly on a diet. But here’s a thought: that car sitting in your driveway? The one that guzzles fuel and demands insurance payments? It could actually be putting some rands back into your pocket.
Yep, loads of savvy South Africans are getting creative and turning their trusty steeds into part-time income generators. It’s not about becoming a millionaire overnight, but more about making that car pay for its own petrol, or covering a few extra bills, or even funding that weekend braai.
So, how are they doing it? Let’s dive into some of the most popular ways Saffas are using their cars for a side hustle:
Petrol's Pricey? How Savvy Saffas Are Making Their Cars Earn Their Keep!
Alright, let's get straight to it. Your four wheels can be more than just a way to get from A to B.
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1. The Ride-Hailing Hustle (Uber, Bolt, etc.)
This is probably the first one that springs to mind, and for good reason. It's relatively easy to get started.
The Skinny: You sign up with platforms like Uber, Bolt, inDriver, or even DiDi (which has been doing its thing in Gqeberha and popping up in Jozi & Cape Town). You'll need a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), a car that meets their standards (usually less than 7-10 years old, depending on the platform and service type), and to pass a background check and vehicle inspection.
How it Works: You switch on the app when you’ve got free time – evenings after your 9-to-5, weekends, or even just during peak hours like month-end Friday nights.
The Moolah: This varies wildly. Drivers often say they can net anywhere from R6,000 to R15,000 a month if they put in decent hours (think 30-40+ hours a week). If you’re just doing a few hours on a Friday and Saturday night, you might make an extra R2,000 to R4,000. Surge pricing (when demand is high) can seriously boost your earnings.
The Upside: You're your own boss, schedule-wise. You can often combine it with other delivery apps to stay busy.
The Catch: Commission (usually 15%-25%) eats into profits, plus fuel and maintenance. In some cities like Cape Town and parts of Gauteng, getting an operating licence can be a mission, involving a lot of paperwork and waiting.
Pro Tip: Many drivers run two apps simultaneously to pick the best ride offers and minimise downtime. Also, keep a phone charger handy for passengers – small things boost ratings!
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2. Delivering the Goods: Food & Groceries
When people would rather Netflix and chill than cook or go shopping, you can be their hero.
The Skinny: Think Mr D Food, Uber Eats, Bolt Food, Checkers Sixty60, Pick n Pay asap!, and even Yebo Fresh (doing great work delivering groceries in township areas). You can often use a car, motorbike, or even a scooter.
How it Works: Sign up, get your vehicle and background checked. Orders pop up on the app, you nip to the restaurant or store, pick up, and drop off.
The Moolah: You typically get a base fee per delivery (maybe R20-R40), plus a per-kilometre rate (R3-R5/km), and then there are tips! Saffas are getting better at tipping, especially if you’re quick and your smile is genuine. Part-timers doing evenings and weekends can often pocket an extra R3,000 to R7,000 a month.
The Upside: Super flexible. You can often work in short bursts.
The Catch: Waiting at busy restaurants can be frustrating. Bad weather can make it tricky. You need to be quick and efficient.
Pro Tip: Get a good quality thermal bag – nobody likes a cold gatsby or soggy chips! Focus on areas with lots of restaurants or dense residential areas.
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3. Courier & Parcel Gigs: The E-commerce Boom
Online shopping is massive, and all those packages need delivering
The Skinny: Platforms like Picup, PUDO (from The Courier Guy, using their locker network), Sendr, or even Rush connect drivers with businesses or individuals needing stuff moved.
How it Works: You sign up, and when a delivery request matches your vehicle type and location, you can accept it. This could be anything from documents to online store orders.
The Moolah: Pay varies based on distance, parcel size, and urgency. You might earn R40 to R100+ per delivery. Consistent part-timers can add a good few thousand Rands to their monthly income.
The Upside: Often less dealing with passengers, more just focused on the delivery. Can be good if you have a bakkie or a car with a big boot.
The Catch: Some items can be bulky or heavy. You need to be organised with your routes.
Pro Tip: If you live in or frequently visit large residential estates, you might have an edge for local deliveries within those complexes.
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4. Your Car as a Mobile Billboard (Car Wrapping)
Get paid to drive around as you normally would!
The Skinny: Companies like MotionAds or MyCabbi will pay you to have your car professionally wrapped with advertising.
How it Works: You sign up, provide details about your car and driving habits (where you drive, how much). If a campaign matches your profile, they’ll wrap your car.
The Moolah: This can range from R500 to R3,000+ a month, depending on the extent of the wrap (just the back window vs. a full wrap) and how much you drive in targeted areas.
The Upside: Totally passive income once the wrap is on.
The Catch: You need to be comfortable driving a branded car. Campaigns aren't always available, and you need to meet their mileage or route criteria. Make sure the company uses quality wraps that won't damage your paintwork upon removal.
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5. Renting Out Your Ride (Peer-to-Peer Car Rental)
Like Airbnb, but for your car.
The Skinny: Platforms like RentMyRide (and there are a few others emerging) allow you to list your car for others to rent when you’re not using it.
How it Works: You list your car, set your availability and price. The platform usually handles vetting renters, insurance, and payments.
The Moolah: You could earn R200 to R700+ per day, depending on your car model and the demand. If your car is rented out for 10-15 days a month, it could potentially cover its own financing costs or bring in a nice bit of extra cash.
The Upside: Can be good money if your car often sits idle (e.g., you work from home).
The Catch: Wear and tear on your car. You need to be comfortable with strangers driving your vehicle. Check your car insurance and financing agreements – some might have clauses against this.
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6. The "Bakkie Brigade" & Moving Services
Got a bakkie? Or even a car with a towbar and a Venter trailer? You're in demand!
The Skinny: This is often more informal, using Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, local WhatsApp groups, or just word-of-mouth.
How it Works: People need stuff moved: garden refuse, rubble from a small DIY project, a student moving into a digs, furniture bought second-hand.
The Moolah: You can charge per load (e.g., R300-R700 for a local trip) or per hour. Weekend warriors can make a decent R2,000 to R5,000+ extra a month.
The Upside: You set your rates. Good for those who like a bit of physical work.
The Catch: Can be hard labour. You need to be reliable. Fuel costs for a bakkie can be high.
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7. Niche Transport Services
Think beyond the usual.
Scholar Transport: A classic! Parents are always looking for safe, reliable transport for their kids to and from school. You’ll need to be properly registered and have the right permits.
Airport Shuttles: Especially if you live near an airport or in a touristy area.
Staff Transport: Some companies, especially those with late shifts (like restaurants), might need transport for their staff.
Pet Taxis: Yes, it's a thing! Transporting pets to the vet, groomers, etc.
The Moolah: Highly variable, often contract-based. Scholar transport can bring in a steady R2,000-R8,000+ per month depending on the number of kids and routes.
A Few Important "Speed Bumps" to Consider
Taxman (SARS): Ja nee, they’ll want their cut. Keep records of your income and expenses (fuel, maintenance specifically for the hustle). It’s best to chat with a tax consultant if you’re unsure.
Insurance: This is CRUCIAL. Your standard personal car insurance likely won’t cover you if you’re using your car for business or to earn an income. You MUST inform your insurer. You might need to switch to a commercial policy or add business use, which could increase your premium, but not having it could mean a claim is rejected.
Permits & Licences: For ride-hailing and scholar transport, you'll definitely need a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) and potentially an operating licence for the specific area.
Wear and Tear: More driving means more maintenance – tyres, oil changes, brakes. Factor this into your earnings. Set aside a portion of your earnings for this.
Safety: Especially for ride-hailing or late-night deliveries. Be aware of your surroundings, let someone know your routes, consider a dashcam, and trust your gut.
The Bottom Line
Your car doesn't have to be just an expense. With a bit of savvy and effort, it can become a valuable side-hustle tool. The key is to do your research, understand the costs involved (especially fuel and maintenance!), sort out the admin (insurance and permits are non-negotiable!), and find the hustle that best suits your car, your schedule, and your personality.
So, next time you’re filling up that tank, maybe have a think – could this car be paying for its own juice, and then some? For many South Africans, the answer is a resounding "Yes!"
Good luck, and happy (and profitable) driving!
Insurance.co.za Content Team
We’re a specialist team of insurance and finance copywriters and content producers. The Insurance.co.za Content Team is a flexible and dynamic team. Hence we publish our content under the Insurance.co.za brand name rather than our personal names.
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