When browsing for your next short or long term car rental, you might notice short four-letter descriptions for each vehicle. These are known as Standard Interline Passenger Procedure (SIPP) codes. They’re a quick way to understand exactly what kind of vehicle you are booking. At Pace Car Rental, we believe in making things simple, so here’s a clear breakdown of what these codes mean and why they matter.
What is a SIPP Code?
A SIPP code is a four-character code that describes a rental vehicle’s key features. Each letter represents something specific, such as the size of the car, the number of doors, the transmission type, and the fuel or air-conditioning setup.
For example, a code like IDAR tells you:
- It’s an Intermediate-sized vehicle
- Has 4 doors
- Comes with an automatic transmission
- Includes air-conditioning
Think of it as a quick snapshot of the vehicle before you even see it.
Why SIPP Codes Exist
With so many different vehicles available, rental companies need a consistent way to organise them. SIPP codes help standardise vehicle categories across the industry.
For you as a customer, this means:
- Easier comparison between vehicles
- Clear expectations of what you’ll get
- Faster booking decisions
First Letter: Size of the Vehicle
| Code | Description |
| C | Compact |
| D | Compact Elite |
| E | Economy |
| F | Full-size |
| G | Full-size Elite |
| H | Economy Elite |
| I | Intermediate |
| J | Intermediate Elite |
| L | Luxury |
| M | Mini |
| N | Mini Elite |
| O | Oversize |
| P | Premium |
| R | Standard Elite |
| S | Standard |
| U | Premium Elite |
| W | Luxury Elite |
| X | Special |
Second Letter: Number of Doors and Body Type
| Code | Description |
| B | 2/3 Door |
| C | 2/4 Door |
| D | 4/5 Door |
| E | Coupe |
| F | SUV |
| G | Crossover |
| H | Motorhome |
| J | Open-Air All Terrain |
| K | Commercial Van / Truck |
| L | Limousine / Sedan |
| M | Monospace |
| N | Roadster |
| P | Pickup (Single/Extended Cab) 2 Door |
| Q | Pickup (Double Cab) 4 Door |
| R | Recreational Vehicle |
| S | Sport |
| T | Convertible |
| V | Passenger Van |
| W | Wagon / Estate |
| X | Special |
| Y | Two-Wheel Drive |
| Z | Special Offer Car |
Third Letter: Transmission and Drive
| Code | Description |
| A | Auto Unspecified Drive |
| B | Auto Four-Wheel Drive |
| C | Manual All-Wheel Drive |
| D | Auto All-Wheel Drive |
| M | Manual Unspecified Drive |
| N | Manual Four-Wheel Drive |
Fourth Letter: Fuel Type and Aircon
| Code | Description |
| N | Unspecified Fuel/Power, No A/C |
| R | Unspecified Fuel/Power, A/C |
| V | Petrol, A/C |
| Z | Petrol, No A/C |
| D | Diesel, A/C |
| Q | Diesel, No A/C |
| E | Electric (< 400 km / 250 mi), A/C |
| C | ElectricPlus (≥ 400 km / 250 mi), A/C |
| H | Hybrid, A/C |
| I | Hybrid Plug-in, A/C |
| L | LPG / Compressed Gas, A/C |
| S | LPG / Compressed Gas, No A/C |
| M | Multi Fuel/Power, A/C |
| F | Multi Fuel/Power, No A/C |
| A | Hydrogen, A/C |
| B | Hydrogen, No A/C |
| U | Ethanol, A/C |
| X | Ethanol, No A/C |
Common SIPP Code Examples
Here are a few typical codes you might come across when booking your next rental vehicle:
- CBMR: Compact, 2-door, manual, with air-conditioning
- IDAR: Intermediate, 4-door, automatic, with air-conditioning
- FDAD: Full-size, 4-door, automatic, diesel, with air-conditioning
- FVAV: Full-size passenger van, automatic, petrol, with air-conditioning
These codes help you quickly compare vehicles, even across different locations.
Do You Need to Know SIPP Codes?
Not necessarily.
At Pace Car Rental, we make sure every vehicle listing clearly shows:
- Transmission type
- Fuel type
- Number of passengers
- Key features
So, you can book with confidence without needing to memorise codes.
That said, understanding SIPP codes can be useful if you:
- Want to compare vehicles more precisely
- Are booking frequently
- Need a specific type of vehicle
Final Thoughts
SIPP codes aren’t discount codes or something you need to enter. They’re simply a classification system used across the car rental industry.
At Pace Car Rental, our goal is to make your experience as smooth as possible. Whether you understand SIPP codes or not, you’ll always know exactly what you’re getting when you book – whether it be a car, bakkie, minibus, or panel van.
If you ever need help choosing the right vehicle, our team is always ready to assist. WhatsApp us today on 011 262 5500 or visit our website to book your next rental vehicle.
Written by
Darren Young
Darren Young is a driven marketing professional with a passion for brand growth and digital strategy. He currently serves as Brand Manager at Pace Car Rental, where he manages Google and Meta advertising campaigns, drives SEO initiatives to strengthen the brand’s digital presence, and manages signage and other projects for the brand.
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