Travelling across borders

As the festive season approaches , for many people the excitement of planning a holiday is at the top of their to do list. Besides planning accommodation, routes and stops, it’s vital to remember to have the correct paper work when travelling across borders.

This is according to the head of brand and communications at WesBank Rudolf Mahony, who said that even the best made plans can be ruined if you’ve forgotten to get your border letter and certified copies of your vehicle registration.

This is a letter that you need to present to officials at South Africa’s boarder posts, when crossing into another country. It confirms that you have been given authority to drive a car, trailer, boat, jet ski or caravan into another country for a specific period of time.

“We’ve made the process of getting these letters as easy as possible but sometimes motorists just aren’t aware of what is required by the officials at the border post. If your car is not financed you won’t need a border letter from the bank but you will need other documentation such as vehicle registration that states the car is yours or you have permission from the owner to take the car over the boarder,” said Mahony.

Mahony offers tips on what you need to know when crossing the border:

– A valid driver’s license and passport: Check that your passport has not expired

– Contact your insurance company: Ensure the insurance companies policy includes cross-boarder travel. If not travelers can purchase international insurance at the border post gate.

– Vehicle registration documents: A valid certified copy of the vehicle registration or vehicle license. If vehicle is financed you will also need a letter from the bank giving you permission to take the vehicle across the border, with the dates of your trip stated. Commissioner Oaths should sign both the bank letter and license papers. If the car is not registered in your name, you will also need an affidavit from the police giving you permission from the financial organisation or owner to take the car out of South Africa.

– Rental vehicles: You are required to produce a letter from the rental company giving you full consent to take the vehicle out of the country.

– Stickers, triangles and safety gear: It is compulsory for any South African vehicle, caravan or trailer to have a ZA sign displayed when it crosses any border. Some countries require you to place the blue and yellow warning triangle or the Y-sign on your caravan or the trailer towing your boat. Neighbouring countries require you to have set red warning triangles in your possession and reflective jackets.