International e-hailing service Maxim has become one of the first app-based taxi platforms to be formally registered under South Africa's new transport laws
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International e-hailing service Maxim has become one of the first app-based taxi platforms to be formally registered under South Africa's new transport laws, securing its certificate just days before a crucial government deadline.
The company received its Certificate of Registration from the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) on February 27, 2026, confirming it meets the compliance standards set out in the Second National Land Transport Regulations of 2025 .
The certificate confirms Maxim's adherence to regulations concerning e-hailing applications, platform provider requirements, and operational standards, officially authorising the company to continue operating within the legal framework.
The registration places Maxim among a handful of operators to have successfully navigated the new regulatory process before the 180-day compliance period expires on March 11. After this date, any platform not registered with the NPTR will be considered illegal .
Maxim formally submitted its application in November 2025, the same month the Department of Transport issued an urgent call for all e-hailing platforms to register as a matter of priority amid concerns over the slow uptake. A subsequent hearing regarding the application last month cleared the way for final approval.
"We are fully committed to the South African market and to providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation options," said Lesoli Lemphane, a Maxim representative. "Submitting our application was a key step towards bringing that vision to life, and we are delighted to now have a formal confirmation of our compliance."
The company's successful registration comes amid a wider industry scramble to meet the new rules. Earlier this week, competitor Bolt announced it had also received its certificate, claiming to be the first platform to do so.
The new regulations, which came into effect in September 2025, formally recognise e-hailing as a distinct sector within public transport for the first time. The framework aims to improve oversight, enhance safety standards—such as the mandatory inclusion of panic buttons—and provide greater certainty for drivers, passengers, and platform operators .
"We have always welcomed the introduction of clear and progressive regulations for the e-hailing sector," Lemphane said. "The formalisation of the e-hailing sector is a positive development that benefits the entire industry — drivers, passengers, and regulators alike."
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