Bolt and Uber drivers are set to face major changes as government introduces new regulations aimed at tightening control, enhancing safety, and easing long-standing tensions with the taxi industry.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed that the National Land Transport Amendment (NLTA) Act will formally regulate services like Bolt and Uber, marking a major shift in how these platforms operate. The announcement follows a recent incident at Maponya Mall in Soweto, where an e-hailing driver was killed one of several violent clashes between taxi drivers and e-hailing operators in recent years.
Although the timing appears linked to these violent incidents, Creecy explained that the legislation has been in development for over a decade. President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to the NLTA in 2024, and it is expected to come into effect in October once final translations are complete.
Key Changes for Bolt and Uber Drivers
Under the new law, e-hailing operators will no longer rely on outdated charter permits or traditional metered taxi licenses. Instead, they will be issued dedicated e-hailing operating licenses, specifying where they are allowed to work.
Vehicles will also need to display signs or branding identifying them as e-hailing cars, while drivers will undergo strict vetting, including criminal background checks. In addition, a professional driving permit will be mandatory.
To bolster safety, drivers must have panic buttons installed in their vehicles, and their profile photos must remain up to date to ensure accurate identification by clients.
Failure to comply could carry serious consequences offenders face up to two years in prison or fines of up to R100,000. Regulators will also have the authority to suspend or revoke licenses for violations.
Addressing Taxi Industry Concerns
The legislation comes as a response to long-standing grievances within the taxi industry. The Soweto Taxi Association and the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) have repeatedly raised concerns about unlicensed individuals posing as e-hailing drivers and undercutting legitimate operators.
Creecy said the Act aims to resolve such conflicts, but also stressed that the taxi industry itself must adapt to the evolving transport landscape.
“Taxi operators are part of the modern world and must evolve with it,” she noted, adding that failure to adapt could leave parts of the industry behind.
Building an Integrated Transport System
Looking ahead, the Department of Transport is also pushing for better integration across transport modes. Research shows that in the Western Cape, minibus taxis are best suited for short-distance “last mile” travel, while longer trips are better served by rail.
In Gauteng, authorities are working on an integrated ticketing system that will allow commuters to use a single ticket across buses, taxis, and trains an effort aimed at improving efficiency and reducing friction between operators.
With the NLTA set for implementation in October, both commuters and drivers are bracing for significant changes in how e-hailing services like Bolt and Uber operate in South Africa.
Related article: Gauteng Set to Launch Its Own E-Hailing Service
