Question:
To whom it may concern: I am involved in scholar transporting in my daily basis. I have been operating in this business for the past 4 years around the West Rand of Gauteng. During the last December I had my vehicle (Toyota Hi-ace) sold which fell under Gauteng by registration. Now I just bought the same model of a vehicle but it is still registered under the province on Mpumalanga. Reason being that I am still paying the owner of the vehicle the remeaning balance.
I am currently using the vehicle to carry on my business in Gauteng while it is having Mpumalangas’ plates to carry learners to and back from the schools. My question is am I doing wrong by using the vehicle to carry on the learners while it is registered under a different province? What is the most sensible thing that I do to use the vehicle for the business while staying along the law site until i fully own the vehicle? Thank you in advance.
Answer:
If you are transporting persons for a reward you require an operating licence in terms of the National Land Transport Act. Operating licences are only issued to the owner of the vehicle. To licence the vehicle you require proof of residence and the vehicle must be licensed in the area where you live. As far as I know the operating licence board of one province does not issue permits to vehicles licensed in other provinces.
Scholar transport is only exempt of the vehicle belongs to the school or if the vehicle is solely set aside for use by the school.
Regards
Alta