How to report a truck driver in South Africa
A truck is big, heavy and slow to stop, so a truck driver doing something dangerous puts everyone around them at risk. Reporting is the same as for a car, with a few extra things to note.
Last checked: 27 Oct 2026
The short answer
Stay well back
Trucks have blind spots and long stopping distances. Film only as a passenger, and stay well back. Never film from beside the wheels or tailgate to get a better view.
Note the plate or plates
A truck with a trailer can carry two different number plates, one on the truck and one on the trailer. Note both if you can.
Note who it belongs to
Many trucks have a company or fleet name painted on the side. Write it down, plus the How's my driving number if there is one.
Report it
Report it on Padvark, then to the RTMC yourself.
If someone is in danger right now, call 10111 (police) or 112 from a cell phone.
What to note about a truck
Along with the plates, note the road, the lane, the direction the truck was going and the time. Then say what happened in a sentence or two. Things worth reporting include tailgating, overtaking on a blind rise, drifting between lanes and a load that looks unsafe or badly secured.
If you can, describe the load: a flatbed with loose pipes, a bakkie-sized object hanging off the back, a tanker, a container or an open load with no cover. It helps the reader understand why it was dangerous.
Why both plates matter
A truck and its trailer are registered separately, so the cab and the trailer can carry different number plates. The cab plate shows which truck was driving. The trailer plate shows what was being pulled. If you only get one, say which one it is, so nobody mixes them up.
If it is dangerous right now
If a truck is swerving, has lost its load or is blocking the road, do not stop in the lane or get out to look. Pull over somewhere safe, or ask a passenger to call 10111 (police) or 112 from a cell phone. Report to Padvark later, once you are safe.
Keep a safe following distance behind any truck, and more in the rain. Spilling gravel, tyres and loose straps can come off without warning. If something falls off, slow down early, never brake hard, and go around only when it is safe to do so.
Company numbers
If a truck shows a How's my driving number, you may note it down. Padvark does not list company numbers and cannot vouch for them, so the RTMC is the channel we point to.
The full steps and the table of channels are in how to report a bad driver in South Africa.
RTMC on WhatsApp: 083 293 7989 · National Traffic Call Centre (NTCC): 0861 762 847 (08617NaTIS)
Common questions
- Which plate do I note on a truck with a trailer?
- Both, if you can see them. The truck and the trailer can have different plates. If you can only read one, report with that one and say so.
- Should I contact the trucking company?
- You may, if the truck shows a number for that. Padvark does not list company numbers. Reporting to the RTMC is the route we point to.
- Can I report a truck from the passenger seat?
- Yes. If you are a passenger, you can take a photo or video and note the details. If you are driving, wait until you are safely stopped.
- What if a truck has spilled its load or blocked the road?
- If anyone is in danger, pull over somewhere safe or ask a passenger to call 10111 (police) or 112 from a cell phone first. Report to Padvark afterwards.
Ready to report?
It takes a few minutes. Add the number plate, the place and the time, plus a photo or video if you have one.
