Fequently Asked Questions

Requirements for hiring a car and payment questions
Airport procedures
Rates and insurance covers
Emergencies
Miscellaneous questions

REQUIREMENTS FOR HIRING A CAR AND PAYMENT QUESTIONS

What do I need to hire a car?
The hirer must be 23 years or older, must be in possession of a valid drivers license and must have a credit card (MasterCard/Visa/Diners & Amex are accepted) in his/her name.

What is the minimum age to drive a car?
23 years

Will I need to produce my driver's license?
You will be expected to produce a valid, unendorsed driver's license when you collect the vehicle. The license must have been valid for a minimum of 2 years. It is a legal requirement in RSA to be in possession of your original driver's license at all times whilst driving a vehicle.

Why do I have to have a credit card to hire a car?
A credit card is the only secure manner in which to transact. VCH requires some form of recourse in the event of an accident/theft or if the terms and conditions have been contravened. A debit card or cash deposit does not provide the guarantee required.

What is the procedure regarding my credit card?
VCH obtains an authorisation on the hirer's credit credit the day before the start of the hire, the amount equal to the excess amount based on the standard cover regardless of whether super cover is taken or not. The authorisation amount is "held" and deducted from the customer's credit limit but is not transferred to VCH's account. The actual debit to the credit card will only be done at the end of the hire and the authorisation will be subsequently cancelled.

Why does VCH take an authorisation on a credit card even if the Super Cover option is chosen?
VCH needs some form of security while the car is on hire. For example, if the car is involved in an accident and it can be proved that the driver of the car was criminally negligent, the hirer will be held liable for the full amount of the damages irrespective if Super Cover was chosen.

Can I pay with Cash?
Securing your booking via cash is not accepted. One can, however, secure the booking via a credit card and pay with cash at the end of the hire.

Can I use someone else's credit card to hire a car?
The credit card holder must be present at the time that the car is handed over to the client. As a rule, the credit card holder is the Hirer in terms of the Rental Agreement and is held Bound by the Terms and Conditions on the reverse side thereof.

Can I hire a car using my credit card, for someone else to drive, even though I am not present?
No, for the same reasons as above.

Does VCH charge a contract fee, airport surcharge or tourism levy?
No, VCH does not charge any of the above costs.

Must I fill the car with petrol when rental period ends?
VCH provides the car with a full tank at the beginning of the hire. When the car is returned, VCH will fill the car and add the petrol amount to the final account. Please note that the petrol price in South Africa is regulated and VCH will charge the amount as stipulated by the South African Government.

Do I pay for additional drivers?
There is no charge for the first two nominated drivers (the hirer included), thereafter, an additional driver fee of R180 per driver is charged.

Is car rental VAT refundable
No it is not. One can only claim vat back on the purchase of a product. Car Hire is deemed a service and is therefore not VAT refundable.

Can you pay for petrol with my Credit Card at petrol stations?
Credit cards are accepted for all payment for all goods (where a credit card is accepted) except for petrol .

Is there a surcharge on re-fuelling?
Vineyard Car Hire does not charge a petrol re-fuelling surcharge.

Why is there a re-fuelling charge if I have free kilometres?
The kilometre charge in car rental relates to maintenance costs. Fuel is a separate cost altogether. Vineyard Car Hire provide a full tank of fuel and the customer will be charged to re-fuel the vehicle on return.

To the top

AIRPORT PROCEDURES

Where do I collect my car from at Cape Town Airport?
A rental agent from VCH will personally deliver the car to the airport to meet you off your flight. Please look out for our rental agent holding a board with your name on it as you exit the luggage retrieval area. The rental agent can be met at a designated place at the airport by prior arrangement.

What procedure to follow if I leave the car at the airport at the end of the hire?
The car must be left in the public (open shaded) parking and the keys, radio face and parking ticket must be locked in the boot/trunk of the car. The car must be locked. One of VCH's rental agents will collect the car with the spare keys. Please speak to one of our rental agents with regards to where the car must be parked, depending on whether you will be leaving from the International or Domestic terminal.

To the top

RATES AND INSURANCE COVER

How is the 24-hour period calculated?
Rates are calculated on a 24-hour period from the time you sign the Rental Agreement until the vehicle is returned to the depot or the airport. We do allow 2 hour "grace period" on the final day of return as a gesture of goodwill.

What insurance cover is included in the hire of the car?
All rates include Standard Cover plus an Excess (payable by the hirer) in the event of an accident or theft. Please note that Standard Cover is compulsory.

What is the Excess amount?
The excess amount is the Hirer's maximum liability in the event of an accident or theft.

What is Super Cover?
Super Cover reduces or waivers the excess amount at an additional daily charge. Please note that any form of cover, whether standard or super cover, does not apply when the hirer is criminally negligent e.g. being involved in an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Does the Cover mentioned above include loss of personal possessions?
No, the Cover is valid for damage or loss to the car itself.

Does the Cover mentioned above include Personal Accident Insurance?
No, any injury caused by a motor accident is covered by the Road Accident Fund in South Africa.

To the top

EMERGENCIES

What to do in the event of an accident/theft or if the car breaks down?
Telephone the office immediately on (021) 761-0671 and report the accident. VCH can be contacted after hours on 082 770 7324.

How do I contact VCH in emergency after hours?
In the event that one needs to contact VCH after hours urgently, the manager on duty can be contacted on (082) 770 7324 or +27 82 7707324 (if phoning from a foreign cell phone).

Does VCH offer unlimited mileage?
All rates offered by VCH include a 300 free km's if a daily rate is charged or 150 free km's per day if the monthly rate is charged. If one exceeds these free km's, there is an excess charge per km applicable. Please note that the free km's offered are accumulated for the total hire period e.g. a 7 day hire with 300 free km's per day will equate to a total of 2100 free km's for the total hire period.

To the top

MISCELLANEOUS

Is the wearing of front and rear seat belts compulsory?
In accordance with the National Road Safety Act, the wearing of both front and rear safety devices is enforced by law.

Can I rent a phone/GPS system
We are able to provide cell phones and GPS (Global Positioning System) units to rent on request via a third party supplier. The hire of the cell phone handset is free. The hirer only pays R9.95 (excl. vat) per day for insurance and is charged for all calls made. GPS cost R59.00 (excl. vat) per day.

Do you offer frequent flyer air miles?
VCH is not linked to any loyalty program, and therefore, does not offer frequent flier miles.

Can I add extra drivers and how many?
Up to three drivers can be added to the Rental Agreement

Will VCH deliver a car to me?
Delivery and collection within the Cape Peninsula is free of charge (for a minimum hire period 3 days). As a rule the Cape Peninsula is defined as south of the N1 highway, north of Fish Hoek east of the Atlantic Coast and west of Cape Town International airport. A delivery charge (depending on the distance) will be charged for any delivery out of this area.

Can I drive my car across the border into another country?
No, VCH cars are not insured to drive in any other country other than South Africa.

To the top