Starting a transport or logistics company in South Africa takes more than a truck and a customer. You need the right registrations, compliant vehicles and drivers, insurance, cash to carry you until customers pay, and a way to run every load properly from day one. This guide walks you through each step, and shows how worxTMS takes care of the day-to-day running so you can focus on growing.
First, choose your model
- Own trucks: you carry the loads yourself. The most money up front and the most compliance, but you keep the full rate
- Broker: you find the loads and pass them to transporters you trust. You can start without a single truck, and earn a margin on every load
- A niche: courier, last-mile delivery, refrigerated, cross-border or dangerous goods. A niche helps you stand out, but each one has extra rules
Be clear on who your customers are, which routes you will run and what you will carry. It decides which trucks, permits and insurance you need.
Step by step
1
Register your business
- CIPC: register a company. A (Pty) Ltd keeps your personal assets separate from the business
- SARS: register for income tax, and for PAYE once you employ drivers. VAT becomes compulsory once your turnover goes over R2.3 million a year, but many transporters register earlier because big customers prefer VAT vendors
- UIF and COIDA: required once you have employees
- B-BBEE certificate or affidavit: many corporate customers ask for one
- A business bank account
2
Make your vehicles compliant
- Operator registration: goods vehicles over 3,500 kg GVM must be registered to an operator
- Operator card: displayed in the windscreen with the licence disc, with regular roadworthy tests
- No operating licence for local freight: that is a passenger transport document. Goods carriers need operator registration and an operator card instead
- Cross-border: a Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) permit, plus the permits for each country you drive through
3
Make sure your drivers are legal
- The right licence code for the vehicle, for example C1, EC1 or EC
- A professional driving permit (PrDP): needed for goods vehicles over 3,500 kg GVM. The driver must be 18 or older, or 25 or older for dangerous goods
- A medical certificate as part of the PrDP application
4
Get the right insurance
- Vehicle insurance, including third-party cover
- Goods in transit (GIT): most customers will not give you loads without it
- Public liability
5
Know your numbers and plan your cash
- Work out your cost per km before you quote, so every load covers its costs, including the empty kilometres
- Plan for slow payment: big customers often pay 30 to 60 days after your invoice, but fuel and salaries are due now
- Finance or lease your trucks, or start as a broker or subcontractor without a fleet
6
Find your first customers
- Subcontract for established transporters while you build your name
- Approach local businesses directly: manufacturers, distributors, builders' merchants and retailers
- Tenders and freight networks
- RTMS certification later on: the Road Transport Management System is voluntary, but many large shippers prefer certified carriers
Check before you apply. Rules and fees change through new regulations. Confirm the current requirements with your local licensing office, SARS and the C-BRTA.
How worxTMS makes it simpler
Registrations and permits are done once. Running the loads is every day. That is where new transport companies lose time and money: bookings on WhatsApp, PODs that go missing, invoices that go out late, and no idea which loads made a profit. worxTMS puts it all in one system from your first load.
What you get from day one
- Bookings and shipments: single or multi-stop loads, created in minutes, from a computer or a phone
- Rates and quotes: rate sheets per customer and truck type, a fuel surcharge worked out for you, and the profit after fuel on every load
- Your own trucks or subcontractors: assign a load to your own driver, or pass it to another transporter with Assign Carrier
- Live tracking: follow every truck with the driver app or a tracker, and send your customer a worxLIVE link so they can follow the load themselves
- Proof of delivery: e-PODs with the time and GPS location, plus scanned paper PODs, straight on the shipment
- Invoicing in one click: send the invoice and POD together, and connect QuickBooks Online or Xero, or use the free FrontAccounting that is included
- Your team: logins for your staff, drivers and customers
Why it helps a new company most
1
Look professional from your first load
Big customers expect live tracking, fast PODs and proper invoices. With worxTMS, a one-truck company gives them the same service as a large fleet.
2
Get paid sooner
The POD is on the shipment as soon as the driver delivers, so you can invoice the same day instead of waiting for paperwork. The sooner you invoice, the sooner you are paid.
3
Start without trucks if you want to
As a broker, take on customers and pass every load to transporters you trust. With worxLINK, the load goes straight into their worxTMS, and you see the same live tracking and POD as they do.
4
See which loads make money
worxTMS measures the full trip from your depot, including the empty kilometres, and shows the profit after fuel on each load. You find the bad loads before they cost you.
5
Grow without changing systems
Add trucks, drivers, staff and subcontractors as you grow. The same system works for one truck or a full fleet.
What does it cost?
worxTMS starts from R199.99 per month, with unlimited shipments, a 30-day free trial, no setup fees and cancel anytime. Free accounting (FrontAccounting) is included, or connect your existing Xero or QuickBooks Online.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an operating licence to transport goods in South Africa?
Not for local freight. Goods vehicles over 3,500 kg GVM need operator registration and an operator card. Cross-border loads need a C-BRTA permit.
Can I start a logistics company without my own trucks?
Yes. As a broker you find the loads and subcontract trusted transporters. worxTMS lets you book, assign, track and invoice those loads without a fleet of your own.
When do I have to register for VAT?
Once your turnover goes over R2.3 million a year. You can register earlier, and many transporters do because big customers prefer VAT vendors.
What does my driver need?
The right licence code for the vehicle and, for goods vehicles over 3,500 kg GVM, a professional driving permit (PrDP).
What insurance do customers ask for?
Mostly goods in transit (GIT) cover, along with vehicle and public liability insurance.
Related articles
- How to Calculate Truck Cost per km: know your lowest price before you quote
- Step 1: Set up your company details: the first step in worxTMS
- Getting Started with worxTMS
✓ Start your transport company the right way
Start your 30-day free trial of worxTMS and run your bookings, tracking, PODs and invoices in one system from your very first load.
You handle the customers. worxTMS handles the paperwork.
⚠ Please note: this guide is general information to help you get started. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Laws, permits, fees and thresholds change, and your situation may need more than what is listed here. Always confirm the current requirements with the relevant authority, such as your local licensing office, SARS, CIPC and the C-BRTA, and speak to an accountant, lawyer or insurance broker before you make decisions. Last checked: October 2026.