The e-hailing scene in South Africa offers a flexible way to earn, but 2025 brings a wave of new rules. If you’re wondering how to become a Bolt driver in South Africa, or join Uber, this quick guide will steer you through the updated requirements shaped by the National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTAA), largely effective from May 2025.
Are You Eligible? The Driver Essentials
First, ensure you meet the personal criteria: you must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid South African ID (or a specific work permit if a foreign national – asylum/refugee papers are generally not accepted), and possess a valid SA driver’s licence. A smartphone with data is, of course, essential.
The cornerstone of your application is the Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) with a ‘G&P’ (Goods and Passengers) classification. This involves a medical certificate, fingerprinting for a police criminal record check, and application at your local Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC). Costs for the PrDP process, including the Afiswitch check, can be around R700-R850.
Platforms like Bolt also require their own recent criminal record check, often through services like Huru (costing roughly R280-R505). A significant new addition for 2025 is mandatory Department of Transport (DoT) certified training focusing on safety and customer service, a prerequisite for your new operating licence.
Table 1: Driver Pre-requisites Checklist (SA E-hailing 2025)
| Requirement | Description | Estimated Cost (ZAR) | Estimated Time | Key Documents Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Minimum 21 years old. | N/A | N/A | Valid SA ID / Passport |
| SA Driver’s Licence | Valid standard driving licence for the vehicle type. | Licence renewal fees apply | N/A | Valid SA Driver’s Licence Card |
| Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) | Category G&P (Goods & Passengers) required for e-hailing. | Approx. R400 – R550 (total) | Up to 12 weeks (Temporary PrDP in 1-2 weeks) | ID, Driver’s Licence, Photos, Proof of Address, Medical Cert. (MC), PD1 Form |
| Medical Certificate (for PrDP) | Doctor’s certification of medical fitness. | R200 – R300 | 1 Doctor’s visit | Medical Certificate (MC) Form completed by doctor |
| SAPS Criminal Check (for PrDP) | Police clearance as part of PrDP application (via Afiswitch). | R110 (Afiswitch fee) | 5-10 working days for results to DLTC | Fingerprints taken at DLTC |
| Platform Criminal Record Check | E.g., Huru for Bolt; Huru/MIE for Uber. Must be recent. | R280 – R505 (Huru) | 2 hours to 48 hours | Results report from Huru/MIE |
| Mandatory DoT Training | Government-certified training on safety and customer service (New for 2025). | To be confirmed (TBC) | TBC | Training Completion Certificate |
| Smartphone | Compatible Android/iOS device with data. | Device cost + Monthly data | N/A | N/A |
| SARS Tax Clearance | Often required for Operating Licence. | Free | Variable (Online application) | SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN |
Note: Costs and times are estimates and can vary. Always confirm with the relevant authorities or service providers.
Is Your Vehicle Road-Ready?
Your car needs to be in good cosmetic and mechanical shape, generally with four doors and working air conditioning.
For those asking how to become a Bolt driver in South Africa, vehicle specifics vary. Bolt Go categories (Hatch/Sedan) often accept models from 2010 onwards, while the standard Bolt category might require newer vehicles (e.g., 2015+). Uber typically has stricter model year requirements, often requiring vehicles to be 3 years old or newer at onboarding. Always check the latest requirements for your specific city and chosen category on the respective platform apps.
Table 2: Bolt Vehicle Categories & Key Requirements (SA 2025)
| Category | Minimum Model Year | Key Vehicle Type(s) | Specific Notes (Illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Hatch | 2010+ | 4-door Hatchbacks | Hatchbacks often limited to this category |
| Go Sedan | 2010+ | Sedans, Compact SUVs, 7-seaters, Vans | Entry-level multi-purpose |
| Bolt (Classic) | 2015+ | Sedans, SUVs, 7-seaters, Vans | May require min. driver score (e.g., 90+) & acceptance rate (70%+) |
| Bolt Premium | 2016+ | Luxury Sedans, SUVs, 6-11 seaters | Specific approved model list may apply per city |
| Bolt XL | 2013+ | 6-seater vehicles (e.g., MPVs, SUVs) | For larger groups |
| Bolt Van | 2013+ | 8-11 seater vehicles (e.g., Minibuses) | For largest groups |
| Bolt Send | Likely 2010+ | Hatchbacks, Sedans | Parcel delivery; may have driver score/acceptance criteria |
Source: Adapted from Bolt. Requirements can vary by city and are subject to change; always verify with Bolt directly.
Table 3: Uber Vehicle Categories & Key Requirements (SA 2025)
| Category | Minimum Model Year (General Rule) | Key Vehicle Type(s) & Examples | Specific Notes (Illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UberGo | 3 years or newer (e.g., 2022+) | 5-dr Hatchbacks (Toyota Vitz, Suzuki Swift) | Max 2 passengers |
| UberX | 3 years or newer (e.g., 2022+) | 4-dr Sedans (Toyota Corolla Quest, VW Jetta) | Standard service |
| UberComfort | 3-4 years or newer (e.g., 2021+) | Higher-quality Sedans/SUVs (BMW X1, Toyota Corolla Cross) | Min. driver rating (e.g., 4.85+), min. trips, extra legroom |
| UberBlack | 3 years or newer (e.g., 2022+) | Luxury Sedans/SUVs (BMW, Mercedes, Audi etc. only) | Leather interior, min. driver rating (e.g., 4.85+) |
| UberXL | 3 years or newer (e.g., 2022+) | 4-dr Minivans/SUVs, seats 6+ passengers (Toyota Rumion, Suzuki Ertiga) | For groups |
| UberVan | 3 years or newer (e.g., 2022+) | Premium Minivans, seats 7+ passengers (Mercedes V-Class, Hyundai Staria) | Premium group travel |
Source: Adapted from Uber. Requirements are subject to change; always verify with Uber directly.
Crucially, 2025 mandates an annual government-certified vehicle inspection (Certificate of Roadworthiness – COR) for all e-hailing vehicles, costing around R500-R1500. You’ll also need your vehicle registration certificate (logbook), a valid licence disc, an operator card (double disc), and now, compulsory comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance explicitly covering business use and fare-paying passengers.
Table 4: Essential Vehicle Documents Checklist (SA E-hailing 2025)
| Document | Purpose | How to Obtain | Platform Requirement (Bolt/Uber/Both) | Government Mandate (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook) | Proof of ownership/right to use. | Vehicle purchase/transfer process; Bank if financed. | Both | Yes |
| Valid Licence Disc | Proof of current vehicle licensing. | Annual renewal at Licensing Dept. | Both | Yes |
| Operator Card (Double Disc) | Authorisation for commercial passenger transport. | Licensing Dept. (linked to Operating Licence & Roadworthy). | Both | Yes |
| Platform Inspection Report | Platform-specific quality/safety check (e.g., cARscan for Bolt, DEKRA for Uber). | cARscan (digital/app) / DEKRA testing centre. | Both (specific providers vary) | No (Platform specific) |
| Certificate of Roadworthiness (COR) | Annual government-certified safety inspection. | Accredited Vehicle Testing Station (VTS). | Both (as per NLTAA) | Yes (Annual for e-hailing) |
| Comprehensive Commercial Insurance Policy | Financial protection, covers business use & passenger liability. | Registered Insurance Provider. | Both | Yes (New for 2025) |
Register Your Car on Bolt or Uber: The Roadmap
The process for both Bolt and Uber generally starts with an online sign-up via their apps or websites, followed by document uploads. You’ll then need a platform-specific vehicle inspection – Bolt often uses cARscan (a digital inspection) or DEKRA, while Uber primarily uses DEKRA.
The biggest change for 2025 is the National E-hailing Operating Licence, compulsory from May. This replaces previous permit systems and requires application through a new centralised government e-hailing registry. Key documents will likely include your ID, SARS Tax Clearance, PrDP, the new DoT training certificate, proof of commercial insurance, and your vehicle’s COR. The fee for this new licence is anticipated to be around R600. Be prepared for potential processing backlogs, which have been an issue in some provinces.
Costs, Earnings, and Staying Compliant
Initial setup involves costs for your PrDP, criminal checks, the new operating licence, and vehicle inspections. Ongoing expenses include the annual COR and the now-mandatory comprehensive commercial insurance, which can be a significant monthly cost (R1,500-R4,000+). Bolt typically charges a commission of around 23% (VAT inclusive) while Uber’s service fee is generally between 20-25%.
Table 6: Estimated Costs for E-hailing Setup & Annual Compliance in SA (2025)
| Cost Item | Estimated Range (ZAR) | One-off / Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PrDP Application (Total) | R700 – R850 | One-off (Renew PrDP every 2 years) | Includes application fee (R324-R400) , medical certificate (R200-R300) , Afiswitch police check (R110). Temporary PrDP approx. R85. |
| Platform Criminal Record Check (e.g., Huru) | R280 – R505 | One-off / Annual | Bolt requires renewal every 12 months. Cost depends on urgency (Huru). |
| National E-hailing Operating Licence | R600 | One-off (Renewals likely annually or as stipulated) | National standard fee for new operating licence application. |
| Vehicle Inspection (Platform-Specific) | R200 – R1000+ | One-off / Annual | DEKRA inspections can range from R650-R2000 depending on type. cARscan costs vary, potentially lower for digital. Platforms may require periodic re-inspection. |
| Annual Government Vehicle Inspection (COR) | R500 – R1,500 | Annual | For commercial vehicles. |
| Mandatory DoT Training | TBC | Likely One-off | Costs for government-certified training not yet widely published. |
| Comprehensive Commercial Vehicle Insurance | R1,500 – R4,000+ (monthly) | Monthly/Annual | Highly variable based on vehicle, driver profile, cover level. Significantly more than personal insurance. |
| Smartphone & Data Plan | Device cost + R200-R500+ (monthly) | Monthly | Essential for app usage. |
Note: “TBC” (To Be Confirmed) indicates costs that are not yet clearly established for 2025. All other costs are estimates and subject to change. It is crucial to verify current fees with the respective authorities and service providers.
Staying on the road legally means keeping all documents current: your operating licence, COR, PrDP, and platform-specific checks will need regular renewal. Also, be aware of the AARTO demerit system, set for national rollout from September 2025, and a new national performance evaluation system tracking driver conduct.
Also read: Uber vs Bolt: Which one is the Cheapest e-Hailing Service?
While 2025 introduces more regulatory hurdles for those looking into how to become a Bolt driver in South Africa or an Uber partner, these changes aim to formalise the industry, enhancing safety and professionalism. Diligence in meeting these new standards is key to a successful e-hailing journey.
