Originally Posted by jsnydcsa

In 25+ years of traveling to and renting cars in South Africa, I've never been asked for an International Drivers License. They've always accepted my US (State of NY and Commonwealth of Virginia) issued license. Often they photocopy the license and my US Passport at time of rental. I can only imagine where that PII gets filed away.

During all too many traffic stops (for roadblocks ... mostly ...) by various SA law enforcement officers (and a couple of times military-clothed folks also working the roadblock), I've presented my US license and that's been more than enough. Once or twice a passport needed to be shown as well, if I recall. The only hassle at the traffic stop has been that sometimes the actual law enforcement officers have to go to another what-appeared-to-be "boss" to show the license and make sure I was "OK."

YMMV but a US license has always worked for me and numerous USA licensed friends and family who have traveled to SA as well.