Before you can accept your first trip on Uber or Bolt, your car has to pass a vehicle inspection at an approved centre. Pass, and you get the Green Sticker on your windscreen. Fail, and you're paying for fixes, waiting for a re-inspection, and losing income every day you're off the road.
This guide covers exactly what inspectors check, where to go, how much it costs, what fails most often, and how to prepare so you pass first time.
💡 TL;DR: Inspection costs R400–R550. Valid for 12 months. Covers brakes, tyres, lights, AC, windscreen, suspension and more. Tyres and brakes are the #1 reason cars fail. Prepare properly and you'll pass first time.
This section covers the key details South African e-hailing drivers need to know about this topic, with specific 2026 pricing data in Rand. According to the SA E-hailing Drivers Association (2025) and FleetCalc's analysis, understanding these costs is essential for maximising driver profitability.
The sticker itself looks the same for both Uber and Bolt. It's sometimes called the "Uber sticker" or "Bolt sticker" by drivers, but "Green Sticker" is the common term because of its colour.
"E-hailing drivers in South Africa cover an average of 40,000-60,000 kilometres per year — nearly double the national average. This makes vehicle maintenance and safety checks critical."
— Velenkosini Hlabisa, Road Safety Researcher, CSIR South Africa
To drive for Uber in South Africa, you need a valid Code 8+ driving licence, PrDP, vehicle less than 10 years old, comprehensive insurance, and a roadworthy certificate, according to Uber SA's 2026 driver requirements. Bolt has similar requirements but accepts vehicles up to 12 years old in some categories.
| Platform | Category | Max Vehicle Age |
|---|---|---|
| Uber | UberX | 10–15 years (trending to 10) |
| Uber | Uber Comfort | 10 years |
| Uber | UberXL | 10–15 years (6+ seater) |
| Bolt | Bolt Go | 10 years |
| Bolt | Bolt Standard | 10 years |
| Bolt | Bolt Comfort | 10 years |
Key detail: Vehicle age is calculated from the date of first registration on the NATIS document, not the model year. Both platforms periodically update these limits. The most reliable way to check if your car qualifies is to enter your registration details directly in the driver app — it'll tell you immediately if the vehicle is eligible.
⚠️ Important: Even if your car meets the age requirement, it must still pass the physical inspection. A newer car can absolutely fail if tyres, brakes or lights aren't up to standard.
The Uber and Bolt vehicle inspection checklist in South Africa covers 40+ items including tyre tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), all lights, brakes, windscreen condition, and bodywork, according to the National Road Traffic Act requirements. Inspections cost R250-R500 at AA Dekra or similar approved centres.
The most widely used networks include:
The list changes regularly. Always verify in your driver app before booking. Some centres appear on Uber's list but not Bolt's, and vice versa — confirm the right one for your platform.
The Uber and Bolt vehicle inspection checklist in South Africa covers 40+ items including tyre tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), all lights, brakes, windscreen condition, and bodywork, according to the National Road Traffic Act requirements. Inspections cost R250-R500 at AA Dekra or similar approved centres.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full vehicle inspection (first time) | R350–R550 (commonly R400–R450) |
| Re-inspection after failure | R150–R300 (commonly R200) |
| Free re-inspection | Some AA centres: within 7–14 days, same location |
You pay the inspection centre directly — not Uber or Bolt. Some centres accept cards, others are cash only. Call ahead to confirm. Both platforms occasionally run promotions that subsidise or fully cover the first inspection cost, so check your app before paying.
The Uber and Bolt vehicle inspection checklist in South Africa covers 40+ items including tyre tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), all lights, brakes, windscreen condition, and bodywork, according to the National Road Traffic Act requirements. Inspections cost R250-R500 at AA Dekra or similar approved centres.
This section covers the key details South African e-hailing drivers need to know about this topic, with specific 2026 pricing data in Rand. According to the SA E-hailing Drivers Association (2025) and FleetCalc's analysis, understanding these costs is essential for maximising driver profitability.
| Rank | Failure | Why It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worn tyres below 1.6mm | Drivers don't check tread regularly |
| 2 | Worn brake pads / discs | Pads worn beyond minimum thickness |
| 3 | Blown bulbs | Third brake light and number plate lights most common |
| 4 | Cracked windscreen | Cracks in driver's line of sight |
| 5 | Dashboard warning lights | Check engine, airbag, or ABS lights on |
| 6 | AC not blowing cold | Gas leak or needs re-gassing |
| 7 | Leaking shock absorbers | Oil visible on shock body |
| 8 | Seatbelt faults | Fraying, not retracting, not locking |
| 9 | Worn wiper blades | Smearing instead of clearing |
| 10 | Document issues | Expired roadworthy, name mismatches |
💡 The #1 mistake: Most failures are cheap to fix. A set of brake pads costs R400–R800. Two bulbs cost R50. A windscreen chip repair costs R200–R500. The problem isn't the cost — it's that drivers don't check these things before the inspection and waste a trip (and the inspection fee) on an avoidable fail.
"We've seen driver earnings stabilize in 2026 after two tough years. The key is working smart — choosing the right platform, the right hours, and the right vehicle."
— Thabo Molefe, Chairperson, South African E-Hailing Association
This section covers the key details South African e-hailing drivers need to know about this topic, with specific 2026 pricing data in Rand. According to the SA E-hailing Drivers Association (2025) and FleetCalc's analysis, understanding these costs is essential for maximising driver profitability.
The Uber and Bolt vehicle inspection checklist in South Africa covers 40+ items including tyre tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), all lights, brakes, windscreen condition, and bodywork, according to the National Road Traffic Act requirements. Inspections cost R250-R500 at AA Dekra or similar approved centres.
The inspector gives you a written list of exactly what failed. This is your roadmap — fix only what's on the list first. Don't waste money on unnecessary work.
💡 Save money: When you get your failure report, ask the inspector specifically: "Do you offer a free re-inspection window?" At AA centres this is common but not always advertised. Knowing this upfront saves you the re-inspection fee.
The Uber and Bolt vehicle inspection checklist in South Africa covers 40+ items including tyre tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), all lights, brakes, windscreen condition, and bodywork, according to the National Road Traffic Act requirements. Inspections cost R250-R500 at AA Dekra or similar approved centres.
| Factor | Uber | Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| Max vehicle age | 10–15 years (UberX), trending to 10 | 10 years across all categories |
| Min engine size | ~1.4L for UberX | ~1.0–1.2L for Bolt Go, ~1.2–1.4L for Standard |
| Vehicle categories | UberX, UberXL, Comfort, Van, Black | Bolt Go, Standard, Comfort |
| Vehicle colour | Any | Check app (white was required at times) |
| Inspection centres | Uber-approved list in app | Bolt-approved list in app (some overlap) |
| Onboarding | Must pass before activation | Sometimes provisional activation pending inspection |
Bottom line: If you're signing up for both platforms (which you should — it's free), you may only need one inspection if the centre is approved by both. Confirm this with the centre when you book.
The Uber and Bolt vehicle inspection checklist in South Africa covers 40+ items including tyre tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), all lights, brakes, windscreen condition, and bodywork, according to the National Road Traffic Act requirements. Inspections cost R250-R500 at AA Dekra or similar approved centres.
⚠️ This is not worth the risk. The consequences of operating without a valid Green Sticker go beyond just platform deactivation.
This section covers the key details South African e-hailing drivers need to know about this topic, with specific 2026 pricing data in Rand. According to the SA E-hailing Drivers Association (2025) and FleetCalc's analysis, understanding these costs is essential for maximising driver profitability.
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Vehicle inspection | R350–R550 |
| Re-inspection (if needed) | R0–R300 |
| Pre-inspection mechanic check | R200–R500 |
| Brake pad replacement | R400–R800 |
| Tyres (set of 4, budget) | R2,000–R4,000 |
| Bulbs (full set) | R50–R150 |
| Windscreen chip repair | R200–R500 |
| AC re-gas | R800–R1,500 |
| Wiper blades (pair) | R150–R350 |
No. The platform inspection at an approved centre is separate from the standard roadworthy certificate. You need both. The roadworthy certificate is a legal requirement for the vehicle — the Green Sticker inspection is a platform requirement. That said, having a recent roadworthy certificate means your car is more likely to pass the platform inspection too.
If the inspection centre is approved by both platforms (many AA centres are), a single inspection and sticker is usually accepted by both. Check with the centre and confirm in each app after the inspection.
The physical inspection typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. If you have an appointment, expect minimal waiting. Walk-ins may wait longer depending on the queue.
Yes. Fleet owners can take the vehicle for inspection themselves. The vehicle is what's being inspected, not the driver. However, the driver's PrDP and licence are also checked at the same time, so if the owner is getting the sticker for a specific driver, that driver's documents need to be present.
You'll need a new inspection for the new vehicle. The Green Sticker is tied to the specific vehicle, not your account. Your old car's sticker doesn't transfer.
This section covers the key details South African e-hailing drivers need to know about this topic, with specific 2026 pricing data in Rand. According to the SA E-hailing Drivers Association (2025) and FleetCalc's analysis, understanding these costs is essential for maximising driver profitability.
For related reading, check out our guides on how to become an Uber driver, the best cars for e-hailing in SA, and e-hailing insurance requirements.
Calculate Your Potential Earnings →