Booking & Payment

You can book directly through our website at jimmyscarhire.com. Choose your dates, pick your Jimny, and you’re sorted. If you’d prefer to chat first, you’re welcome to reach us on WhatsApp (+27 68 653 2778) or email bookings@jimmyscarhire.com.

Yes. Full payment is required before collection. Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll send you a secure payment link to settle everything ahead of time – so when you arrive, there’s no paperwork or waiting. Just keys and go.

Online bookings are paid by debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express). EFT and cash are accepted by arrangement.

No. Unlike most car hire companies, we accept debit cards as well as credit cards, and EFT or cash by arrangement.

No. We don’t charge a deposit. Your rental rate and comprehensive insurance are all-inclusive, so there are no surprise holds on your card.

Every rental includes comprehensive insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and your chosen daily kilometre allowance (100, 200 or 300 km per day). There are no hidden fees, no insurance waivers to purchase, and no admin charges. The price you see is the price you pay.

We understand plans change. Here’s how cancellations work:

30 or more days before pickup: 50% refund

7-29 days before pickup: 25% refund

Less than 7 days before pickup: No refund

Refunds are processed within 14 days, though bank processing times may vary.

Pickup & Collection

We have three handover locations: our Sea Point hub (Engen, 134 Main Road), our city-centre office at 17 Bree Street, or Cape Town International Airport (Level 1 Arrivals).

Just three things:

1. A valid driving licence (an international driving permit is recommended if yours isn’t in English, but we do accept foreign licences)

2. A credit or debit card in the main driver’s name

3. Your booking confirmation (digital is fine)

That’s it. The whole handover takes about 10 minutes.

Around 10 minutes. We’ll walk you through the car, answer any questions, and hand you the keys. It’s personal, not a process.

Yes, if you are nearby. Delivery and collection are free within 5 km of our Sea Point hub at Engen, 134 Main Road, and R650 (including VAT) between 5 and 10 km. We do not deliver further than 10 km — collecting from Sea Point, our Bree Street office or the airport is always free.

Just let us know. Send us a WhatsApp when you can and we’ll adjust. We’re flexible and we’re not going to penalise you for something outside of your control.

International Visitors

Yes. We accept foreign driving licences. If your licence is in English and includes a photo and signature, that’s all you need. If your licence is not in English, we recommend bringing an international driving permit (IDP) alongside your passport, though it’s not always strictly required – just get in touch and we’ll advise based on your situation.

Absolutely. South Africa welcomes international drivers. UK and US licences are in English, so you’re good to go. For German, Swiss, UAE, and other non-English licences, an international driving permit is recommended. If you’re unsure, just ask us – we’ll let you know exactly what you need.

South Africa drives on the left – the same as the UK, Australia, and Japan. If you’re coming from a country that drives on the right, it takes most people about 30 minutes to adjust. The Jimny is compact and easy to handle, which helps.

All our prices are in South African Rand (ZAR). Your bank will handle the conversion at the time of payment. Most international cards work without any issues.

Only if you’re using a translated version of your licence rather than an international driving permit. In that case, the translation needs to be stamped by your embassy. Most visitors find it simpler to get an IDP before travelling, though we’re happy to discuss your specific situation.

Insurance & Safety

Every rental comes with full comprehensive insurance at no extra cost. You’re covered for accidents, theft, weather damage, fire, and third-party liability. The excess is set out in our terms and conditions – you never pay more than that, regardless of what happens.

Simply: if the repair costs less than the excess, you pay only the actual repair cost. If it costs more, you pay the excess and we cover the rest. The excess amount is set out in our terms and conditions.

No. There are no insurance waivers to purchase and no extra cover to add. Everything is included from the start. This is one of the things that makes us different from the big rental companies.

The main exclusions are: driving on unauthorised off-road trails (dirt roads are fine – 4x4 trails and dunes are not), reckless or negligent driving, driving under the influence, using the wrong fuel, and driving outside the Western Cape. Lost keys and tyre punctures are charged at cost.

Stay calm and follow these steps:

1. Make sure everyone is safe. Call emergency services if needed.

2. Contact Jimmy’s within 3 hours on +27 68 653 2778 or +27 66 077 9821.

3. Don’t admit fault to anyone.

4. Collect details and photos of all involved parties.

5. Open a case at SAPS (South African Police Service) within 24 hours.

Following these steps keeps your insurance valid. We’ll guide you through everything.

Call our 24/7 roadside assistance line immediately: +27 66 077 9821. We’ll diagnose the issue remotely, dispatch help, or replace the vehicle if needed. Please don’t accept help from unapproved tow trucks – we’ll coordinate everything.

During Your Trip

You’re free to explore anywhere within the Western Cape – roughly 500 km in any direction from Cape Town. That covers the Winelands, the Garden Route to Storms River, the West Coast, Hermanus, and everywhere in between. Driving outside the Western Cape isn’t permitted, as it invalidates your insurance.

You can drive on gravel and dirt roads – the Jimny handles them beautifully. What’s not permitted is 4x4 trails, sand dunes, riverbeds, rocky tracks, or water crossings. Think scenic mountain passes and vineyard roads: yes. Think beach driving and 4x4 trails: no.

Yes. Additional drivers can be added to your rental. Just let us know and we’ll arrange it. The additional driver will need to meet the same licence requirements as the main driver. There is a small daily charge for additional drivers.

Pets are welcome with prior permission. Just let us know when you book so we can make a note. We ask that you keep the car reasonably clean – excessive cleaning after pet travel may incur a fee.

Yes, subject to availability. Just get in touch via WhatsApp (+27 68 653 2778) or email bookings@jimmyscarhire.com and we’ll sort it out. The earlier you let us know, the better the chances of keeping the same Jimny.

You can return early at any time, but we’re not able to refund the remaining unused days. If your plans are uncertain, feel free to chat with us about shorter booking options.

You choose a kilometre package when you book: 100, 200 or 300 km per day. If you go over, the excess is charged at R12.75 per kilometre. For most trips around the Western Cape, the standard allowance is more than enough.

Rentals of 30 days or longer are unlimited kilometres — no package and no excess-km charge. See long-term rentals.

No, our Jimnys are non-smoking vehicles. A cleaning fee will apply if the car is returned smelling of smoke.

No. Towing is not permitted and is not covered by insurance.

Returning Your Jimny

You can return your Jimny to any of our three points – Sea Point, our Bree Street office or Cape Town International Airport, Level 1 Arrivals. Returning to the same point you collected from is simplest, and an airport return carries the R650 airport fee.

Yes. All our Jimnys are handed over with a full tank, and we ask that you return them the same way. If the tank isn’t full, we’ll refuel it and charge you the fuel cost plus a R100 admin fee. There are plenty of petrol stations near all three return points.

Let us know via WhatsApp as soon as you can. We’re understanding about traffic and unexpected delays. You have a 30-minute grace period – after that, you’ll be charged for an additional day.

Charges & Extras

No. We don’t believe in hidden fees and we’re upfront about everything. Your rental rate includes comprehensive insurance and roadside assistance. The only additional charges you might incur are things within your control: excess kilometres, fuel shortfall, traffic fines, or damage caused by misuse.

Here’s the full list, so there are no surprises:

Excess kilometres: R12.75 per km over your daily allowance

Fuel shortfall: Cost of fuel plus R100 admin fee

Traffic fines: Fine amount plus R100 admin fee

Late return: Charged for an additional full day (after 30-min grace period)

Additional drivers: Small daily charge

Damage excess: Only if an insured incident occurs (the amount is in our terms and conditions)

Excessive cleaning: Only when genuinely needed (heavy sand, mud, spills, smoke)

Lost keys: Charged at cost

We’ll email you the details of the fine after your rental ends. You’ll be responsible for paying the fine directly to the relevant traffic authority, plus a R100 administration fee. South Africa has speed cameras on most major routes, so keep an eye on the limits.

About the Jimnys

Every car in our fleet is a Suzuki Jimny – compact, capable, and iconic. They’re perfect for Cape Town’s mix of city streets, coastal roads, and mountain passes. Each Jimny in our fleet has its own name and personality.

Most of our fleet is automatic. We do have a few manual options (Stella, Pearl, and Bella) if that’s your preference. You can see the transmission type on each car’s page when you book.

Four. The Jimny is a four-seater. It’s ideal for couples or small groups. Our 5-door models offer a bit more space for luggage; the 3-door models are slightly more compact but just as fun.

It is. The Jimny is comfortable for full days on the road, and its compact size makes winding mountain passes and narrow village streets a pleasure rather than a stress. For trips of two weeks or more, most of our guests say the Jimny is the perfect companion.

When you book through our website, you’ll see which Jimnys are available for your dates. While we can’t always guarantee a specific car (maintenance schedules and logistics sometimes require a swap), we’ll always do our best to match you with the Jimny you’ve chosen.

Still have questions?

We’re always happy to help. Email us at bookings@jimmyscarhire.com or WhatsApp us on +27 68 653 2778. We usually reply within a few minutes.