Police clearance documentation and certificates

Every vehicle in South Africa requires a police clearance certificate for transfer of ownership, engine changes, exports and imports, as well as cross border visits and more. Here's a breakdown you might find useful.

When do you need a police clearance certificate?

You need to get a vehicle clearance certificate (also known as a police clearance) for:

• Transfer of ownership 

• Stolen and recovered vehicles: a stolen and recovered vehicle must be presented to the SAPS to be police cleared at the regional office where your vehicle is registered. Before the vehicle is presented for a police clearance the investigating officer must first remove the S mark. If a Police Clearance is not obtained after a stolen vehicle is recovered then the vehicle's license cannot be renewed, transfer of ownership cannot be effected and the driver of a vehicle shown as stolen can be arrested. 

• Engine change in a vehicle, before the engine is installed into a vehicle. The engine number must be updated on the eNatis system. Failure to do so means that no vehicle transactions can take place (e.g. license renewal, road worthy certificates, or change of ownership). 

• Building up of vehicles: A police clearance certificate is required to confirm that none of the parts were stolen The SAPS will also allocate unique identification numbers to the vehicle.

• VIN updates

• Vehicle exports (SARPCO):  export permits and export documentation can only be obtained after a Police Clearance for the vehicle has been obtained. Please see our vehicle exports page for more information.

• Vehicle imports require police clearance certificates to be issued. Please see our vehicle imports page for more information.

• Cross border visits:  it is advisable to get a police clearance certificate before you take a car across the border, stating that your car is not stolen. This will assist in unhindered border crossings and road blocks. Please see our vehicle exports page for more information on cross border documentation.