Thousands of South Africans sign up to drive for Uber and Bolt every month. The process isn't complicated, but it's specific — miss one document or fail one check and you're waiting weeks longer than necessary. This guide covers exactly what you need, what it costs, and how to get activated as fast as possible.
💡 Good news: Neither Uber nor Bolt charges a sign-up fee. The platforms are free to join. Your only upfront costs are the documents and vehicle preparation.
Before you even think about your car, you need to qualify as a driver. Here's what both platforms require:
This is non-negotiable. You need a PrDP with a "P" (passenger) endorsement to carry passengers for reward.
⚠️ Don't start without a PrDP. Driving without a valid PrDP while carrying passengers is illegal and invalidates your insurance. If you're in an accident without one, you're personally liable — and you could face criminal charges.
Both platforms run background checks through third-party providers. They check:
The background check is done automatically during sign-up — you don't need to obtain one yourself. It typically takes 5–10 business days.
Your car needs to meet platform standards. Here's what they check:
| Requirement | UberX (Standard) | Uber Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2013 or newer | 2016 or newer |
| Doors | 4 minimum | 4 minimum |
| Seats | 4+ passengers | 4+ passengers |
| Air conditioning | Required | Required |
| Vehicle condition | No major dents, scratches, or damage | Excellent condition |
| Colour | Any | Any |
| Branded/wrapped | Not required | Not required |
Bolt's requirements are generally slightly more relaxed:
Your vehicle must have a valid roadworthy certificate. You can get one at:
The roadworthy checks: brakes, tyres (minimum tread depth), lights, indicators, windscreen (no major cracks), seatbelts, exhaust, and overall structural integrity.
Have these ready before you start the application — it'll speed things up dramatically:
Enter your name, email, phone number, and city. Both platforms will send a verification code to your phone.
You'll be prompted to upload clear photos/scans of all required documents. Tips for a smooth upload:
This runs automatically after document submission. You don't need to do anything except wait. Typically 5–10 business days. You'll get an email when it's complete.
Some cities require an in-person vehicle inspection at an authorised inspection centre. Uber or Bolt will direct you to the nearest one. The inspection checks:
In some cases, if your roadworthy certificate is recent, the vehicle inspection may be waived. Check the app for your city's specific process.
Both platforms require you to complete a short online training module. It covers:
Takes about 30 minutes. You must score 80%+ on the quiz.
Once everything checks out, you'll receive an email and push notification: "You're ready to drive!" Open the driver app, go online, and accept your first trip.
💡 Total timeline: With all documents ready, expect 1–2 weeks for Uber and 1–3 weeks for Bolt. The biggest delays are always the PrDP (if you don't have one yet) and the background check. Start your PrDP application now — it takes 4–8 weeks on its own.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| PrDP application | R250–R350 |
| Medical certificate (for PrDP) | R100–R200 |
| Roadworthy certificate | R300–R700 |
| Profile photo | Free (take it yourself) |
| Uber/Bolt sign-up fee | R0 (free) |
| Total (if you have a car) | R650–R1,250 |
| Insurance (first month) | R1,200–R2,500 |
| Data bundle (first month) | R200–R500 |
If you don't own a car, see our car rental cost guide for rental options, or our best cars guide for purchase recommendations.
| Rejection Reason | How to Fix |
|---|---|
| Criminal record | Depends on the offence. Minor offences (>5 years old) may be accepted. Contact Uber/Bolt support to appeal. |
| Expired PrDP | Renew at the DLTC. Processing takes 4–8 weeks — apply immediately. |
| Vehicle too old | Check current requirements. Bolt may accept older vehicles than Uber. |
| Vehicle damage | Fix dents, scratches, cracked windscreen before inspection. |
| Blurry documents | Re-upload with better lighting and focus. All text must be readable. |
| Outstanding traffic fines | Pay them. Some platforms check for outstanding fines/warrants. |
| Failed background check | Request details from the platform. You may need to obtain your own police clearance certificate. |
Both platforms allow you to drive in multiple cities, but you need to:
Yes, but with conditions:
The process is the same — the additional requirement is the valid immigration documentation.
Both. There's no reason not to sign up for both platforms. It's free, it doubles your potential ride requests, and you can switch between them based on surge and promotions. See our detailed Uber vs Bolt comparison for the full breakdown.
Before you invest time and money into getting set up, use the FleetCalc calculator to estimate your actual take-home pay based on your city, hours, and vehicle costs. Too many drivers start without understanding their numbers and find out too late that the maths doesn't work.
Read our guides on real driver earnings and complete expense breakdowns so you know what to expect.
Calculate Your Potential Earnings →