The streets of South Africa are full of opportunities. Owning a car is more than just driving from point A to B. It can also be a source of extra income. In a country where the cost of living continues to rise, a lot of people are finding creative and flexible ways to earn money with their vehicles. It can be driving part-time or full-time; there are various ways to turn your car into a money-making asset.
Here are some popular ways to turn your car into a profitable business.
Ride-sharing Services
E-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt connect passengers with private drivers using a smartphone app. You can choose your own working hours and work as much or as little as you desire. These platforms have become a very popular side hustle for people who want to get extra income. This makes a flexible option if you have a full-time job.
Lift Club
A lift club is another smart way of earning money. It involves a group of people who share a ride with a driver already heading to their destination. By offering available seats, drivers can turn their empty car space into extra cash while passengers enjoy a more convenient and cost-effective way to travel.
Delivery Services
Delivering goods and services is another great option. You can deliver restaurant meals to customers using food delivery platforms like Uber Eats, Mr D, or Bolt Food. The second option is to link your car and get it to work with courier companies, to deliver packages to customers; Some of the best examples are Delivery Ka Speed, The Courier Guy and FedEx.
Delivery work can be done at your convenience, and you don’t need to deal with passengers. It is also a great way to get tips for extra income.
Car Advertising
Turn your car into a moving advertising billboard. Partner with local businesses or big brands that will pay you to display their logo or advertisement on your vehicle. This can be done through car wraps, magnetic signs, or decals. It’s a low-effort way to make money; simply drive around as usual and earn while you go!
The amount you earn depends on the size of the advertisement and how much you drive. It can range from a few hundred to thousands of rand per month, depending on your travels.
Renting Out Your Car
If you don’t use your car regularly, you can rent it out. Platforms like Rent Out Your Car allow car owners to rent their vehicles to people who need them for a certain period of time. You can also lease your car to Fleet Services companies, where your car can do e-hailing or other logistics services. Examples of such a company are Fleetly. When renting out your car, make sure it is in good condition and insure it for rental purposes.
Shuttle Service
Shuttle Service is a good business idea with various market niches, including corporate, tourists, airport transfers, and school transportation, offering a steady income potential by providing reliable transport to specific customer groups or routes. This business requires proper planning, such as identifying your target market, assessing competition, and developing a financial forecast.
Help People Move Items
If you have a truck or van, you can make good money helping people move large items. These could be assisting people who are moving homes, buying a new appliance, picking up furniture, etc. Most people simply don’t have a vehicle that’s big enough to do it on their own.
This is probably obvious, but you’ll have to be able to lift heavy things if you want to help people move.
Skills that you need to make money with your car:
- Safe and defensive driving skills and habits
- Good interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Good navigation and route planning
- Basic vehicle troubleshooting
- Basic digital literacy skills
Your car doesn’t have to be just an expense. With a bit of smart thinking and effort, it can become a great side hustle. The important thing is to do research about the market itself, know your costs, especially fuel and maintenance, handle the admin properly, such as insurance and permits are a must, and find the right hustle that best fits your vehicle, your time, and your lifestyle.
