What cookies DriveWest uses, why we use them, and how you can control them — in plain language.
Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device to remember information about your visit. Under South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), cookies that collect personal information require your informed consent — except cookies strictly necessary for the site to function.
DriveWest uses localStorage (browser storage) rather than traditional server-side cookies for consent preferences and analytics. This is more privacy-friendly as the data never gets sent to our server automatically with each page request.
These are essential for the website to function. They do not collect personal information and cannot be switched off.
| Name | Type | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| dw_cookie_consent | localStorage | Records banner acknowledgement | Until browser cleared |
| dw_cookie_analytics | localStorage | Your analytics consent (yes/no) | Until browser cleared |
| dw_cookie_functional | localStorage | Your functional preference choice | Until browser cleared |
| dw_cookie_date | localStorage | When consent was last given | Until browser cleared |
| PHPSESSID | Session cookie | Dealer portal login session | Session only |
| dw_csrf_token | Session cookie | Anti-forgery protection on forms | Session only |
Helps us understand how visitors use drivewest.co.za — for example, which step of the valuation tool people complete. All data is anonymised. Your IP address is never stored in full.
Google Analytics 4 does not load until you click "Accept All" on our cookie banner.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Distinguishes unique users (anonymised ID) | 2 years | |
| _ga_RLDBMY16R8 | Persists session state for GA4 | 2 years | |
| _gid | Distinguishes users across days | 24 hours |
Data processed by Google LLC (USA), certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. See Google's Privacy Policy and GA Opt-out Add-on.
Improves your experience by remembering your preferences when you return to the valuation tool. No personal information stored — only anonymised UI preferences.
| Storage key | Type | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| dw_prefs | localStorage | Last selected region and make in valuation tool | Until browser cleared |
All functional data stays in your browser. Nothing is sent to DriveWest's servers.
These CDN resources load on every page and may log your IP address as part of standard request logging. DriveWest has no access to these logs.
| Resource | Purpose on DriveWest | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Fonts | Loading Poppins, Inter & Syne typefaces | Google Privacy Policy |
| Font Awesome (Cloudflare) | Icon library | Cloudflare Privacy |
| jsPDF (Cloudflare) | PDF report generation on the valuation tool | Cloudflare Privacy |
1. DriveWest preference centre — click the 🍪 icon at the bottom of any DriveWest page to change your choices at any time.
2. Browser settings — all major browsers let you view, manage, and delete cookies and localStorage:
| Browser | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Chrome | Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data |
| Firefox | Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data |
| Safari (iOS/macOS) | Settings → Safari → Advanced → Website Data |
| Edge | Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data |
Deleting all cookies and localStorage will reset your DriveWest consent and the banner will reappear on your next visit.
3. Google Analytics opt-out — install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to block GA on any website.
Open the DriveWest preference centre and update your analytics and functional cookie choices.
For any questions about this Cookie Policy or how DriveWest handles your data, contact our Information Officer:
Email: info@drivewest.co.za
Phone: 084 463 0013
Full Privacy Policy: drivewest.co.za/privacy
