African Muscle Cars - Forum

Here are the facts as in 2012 from the AA"

To clarify ( I am a lawyer in my other life) if you have a LHD that was on Natis before 23 July 2004 it can stay lhd and be sold, transferred, roadworthy-ed etc etc freely.
Conversely if your vehicle was not registered on Natis before that date it has to be rhd to be legally driven on the road or be sold, transferred etc ( ie you won't get a roadworthy).
As such a vehicle( post registration 2004 still in lhd) would be illegally on the road, of course insurance cover would be refused or repudiated even if you have a policy in place and the driver would be on his own regarding any losses including his own and other peoples lives, injuries and/or property in the event of an accident. We all know that insurance companies take any gap they can to repudiate claims.

That's just ridiculous how Africa has such a patchwork of LHD and RHD countries cheek by jowl; the Americas used to be that way but; with the exception of Guyana, ALL nations accessible by road from one another all stay on the right side of the road. I'm aware of outliers like the Virgin Islands; both ours (US) and the UK's (British) drive on the left side; worse, try buying a RHD car or truck that's USA legal for use on the US Virgin Islands.

Craig that's exactly how I understand the legislation too, but on social media car groups there are a few Cowboys out there swearing that they've registered recent imports that have remained Left hookers, the scenario was and can't remember 100% if car older than 40 or 45 years it's considered a classic and can remain LHD?
Again unclear of exact required age but for instance a 57 Vette could remain a left hooker but a 69 Fastback would need to be changed / converted to RHD....

Also if you import has to be in your name and can't sell for 24 months from registration?
Please can you clarify....
Oh and Buckaroo good to see you back!

Yes, Len, I am aware of those guys who claim they can get their car registered while it is still in LHD and no doubt they do - with some notes exchanging hands.
The problem with that is, as it was put by a senior Road Traffic official, the car will always remain illegal - much like a stolen car so will it will be cool to drive until the day you get stopped! And then, as the official says , all you have to have is a traffic cop who knows the law. Once he checks your LHD was only registered a year ago or whatever he will impound the car - which will be gone forever as it is illegal- and the official then said the cop will immediately arrest the driver and open a case against the owner for corruption, knowing full well that the only way the vehicle got on the system was through a bribe. The rest will be , as they say, history and one would be lucky not to end up in jail with - corruption gets heavy sentences as it should be - and remember car gone. Not a happy place to end up and so easy for it all to go so wrong.
And of course while you drive the car it is still ,in effect, totally un-insured as I said above.
Pre 1965 have a dispensation where it is easier to get permission for it to remain lhd.
Also you are correct about the 2 year rule. ITAC issue a permit which is conditional upon the vehicle not being sold within a 2 year period from its importation, so the vehicle has to be registered in the name of the permit holder/importer and remain so for that period. And ITAC will not issue a permit to a PTY so that gap does not exist....
I've never been away, read the posts almost every day but only get involved if I believe I can add value.
Btw your Chevelle is stunning.. I don't know if you know but we have 2 x 2 doors (68 and 69) ex Arizona - zero rust -sitting in our storage awaiting RHD conversions and a full resto-mod. Should get to them in the next few months.

The worst is these morons selling LHD cars "no papers" on FB pages.

If that car is off ENATIS, you can take it to Reclam and sell it for scrap. Never mind the stupid asking prices.

Buckaroo wrote: Pre 1965 have a dispensation where it is easier to get permission for it to remain lhd.

Thats what guys are currently doing i.e. bringing in pre 65 cars and keeping them LHD.

brennan67 wrote:

Buckaroo wrote: Pre 1965 have a dispensation where it is easier to get permission for it to remain lhd.

That's what guys are currently doing i.e. bringing in pre 65 cars and keeping them LHD.

So buy "Made in South Africa" No hassles

brennan67 wrote:

Buckaroo wrote: Pre 1965 have a dispensation where it is easier to get permission for it to remain lhd.

Thats what guys are currently doing i.e. bringing in pre 65 cars and keeping them LHD.

They are cooking the documents ex USA to show it's pre 1965.

One of said importers admitted that to me.

Buckaroo wrote:Yes, Len, I am aware of those guys who claim they can get their car registered while it is still in LHD and no doubt they do - with some notes exchanging hands.
The problem with that is, as it was put by a senior Road Traffic official, the car will always remain illegal - much like a stolen car so will it will be cool to drive until the day you get stopped! And then, as the official says , all you have to have is a traffic cop who knows the law. Once he checks your LHD was only registered a year ago or whatever he will impound the car - which will be gone forever as it is illegal- and the official then said the cop will immediately arrest the driver and open a case against the owner for corruption, knowing full well that the only way the vehicle got on the system was through a bribe. The rest will be , as they say, history and one would be lucky not to end up in jail with - corruption gets heavy sentences as it should be - and remember car gone. Not a happy place to end up and so easy for it all to go so wrong.
And of course while you drive the car it is still ,in effect, totally un-insured as I said above.
Pre 1965 have a dispensation where it is easier to get permission for it to remain lhd.
Also you are correct about the 2 year rule. ITAC issue a permit which is conditional upon the vehicle not being sold within a 2 year period from its importation, so the vehicle has to be registered in the name of the permit holder/importer and remain so for that period. And ITAC will not issue a permit to a PTY so that gap does not exist....
I've never been away, read the posts almost every day but only get involved if I believe I can add value.
Btw your Chevelle is stunning.. I don't know if you know but we have 2 x 2 doors (68 and 69) ex Arizona - zero rust -sitting in our storage awaiting RHD conversions and a full resto-mod. Should get to them in the next few months.

That's just crazy. I'd think that RSA has enough problems so worrying about 30+ YO LHD vehicles is a waste of resources plus it just pisses people off for no good reason.

Hell; the USA, which is very strict concerning vehicles, is quite lenient about RHD cars and trucks------------even local conversions of things like Honda Civics using JDM firewall/dash cuts. For that matter: brand new RHD Jeep Wranglers are 100% legal for sale here; they're certified for USA emissions and safety standards.