Business · Contact details
First Car Rental Contact Details
The First Car Rental call centre number is 0861 178 227 from within South Africa, or +27 11 230 9999 if you are calling from outside the country. First Car Rental is a South African car rental brand traded by CMH Car Hire (Pty) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSE-listed Combined Motor Holdings (CMH).
If you are already renting and have broken down, use the separate 24-hour roadside assistance line, 0860 888 911.
First Car Rental contact details at a glance
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Call Centre (South Africa) | 0861 178 227 |
| Call Centre from outside South Africa | +27 11 230 9999 |
| 24-hour Roadside Assistance | 0860 888 911 (South Africa only) |
| Roadside Assistance direct line | +27 82 771 6842 or +27 82 771 6891 |
| Log a Query / FAQs / Manage Booking | https://www.firstcarrental.co.za/contact-us |
| O.R. Tambo Airport branch | +27 11 390 2342, firstortambo@cmh.co.za |
| Cape Town Airport branch | +27 21 934 7499, fcrctapt@cmh.co.za |
| King Shaka (Durban) Airport branch | +27 32 436 0100, firstdbnapt@cmh.co.za |
Official contact channels
For bookings and general questions, call the call centre on 0861 178 227. This number works in South Africa only; from abroad, dial +27 11 230 9999. The contact page also has online options to log a query, read the FAQs and manage an existing booking.
For breakdowns during a rental, call 24-hour Roadside Assistance on 0860 888 911 (South Africa only). First Car Rental also lists two direct roadside assistance lines: +27 82 771 6842 and +27 82 771 6891.
What this organisation provides
First Car Rental says it has over 50 branches nationwide, including at all major South African airports, and a fleet of about 9 000 vehicles. It also operates in Malta, Mauritius and Tanzania.
Besides daily car hire, its services include direct transfers, long-term rental, the Show&Go corporate programme and pre-owned car sales.
The company was registered in 1999 as National Alamo and became First Car Rental in 2008, after Europcar bought the National Alamo franchise rights. First Car Rental states it is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 125% procurement recognition.
Address and operating information
The website does not list a single head office street address for customers. Each branch shows its own phone number, CMH mailbox and hours on the Locations page. The three main airport branches are:
- O.R. Tambo Airport: +27 11 390 2342, firstortambo@cmh.co.za
- Cape Town Airport: +27 21 934 7499, fcrctapt@cmh.co.za
- King Shaka (Durban) Airport: +27 32 436 0100, firstdbnapt@cmh.co.za
For any other branch, check the Locations page on firstcarrental.co.za for its number and hours before you go.
Support and escalation routes
First Car Rental does not publish a separate complaints or escalation line on its contact page. Start with the call centre on 0861 178 227 or use the Log a Query option online, and keep your booking reference handy. Roadside problems go to 0860 888 911 at any hour.
For other car hire and transport businesses, see the business hub or the business directory F listings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the First Car Rental contact number?
Call 0861 178 227 in South Africa, or +27 11 230 9999 from outside South Africa.
What is the First Car Rental roadside assistance number?
The 24-hour roadside assistance line is 0860 888 911 (South Africa only). Direct lines are +27 82 771 6842 and +27 82 771 6891.
How do I contact First Car Rental at O.R. Tambo?
The O.R. Tambo Airport branch is on +27 11 390 2342 and firstortambo@cmh.co.za.
Who owns First Car Rental?
First Car Rental is traded by CMH Car Hire (Pty) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSE-listed Combined Motor Holdings.
Sources
- First Car Rental, Contact us: firstcarrental.co.za/contact-us, read 2026-09-26
- First Car Rental, Locations: firstcarrental.co.za/locations, read 2026-09-26
- First Car Rental, About us: firstcarrental.co.za/about-us, read 2026-09-26