Bolt South Africa: Assists Operators for E-hailing Operating License Compliance

• Bolt is conducting a compliance program across South African provinces to help e-hailing operators secure licenses under new regulations.
• The National Land Transport Amendment Act, 2023, and Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025, formally recognize e-hailing as public transport.
• The Western Cape has committed to streamlining its e-hailing license application process, while the North West faces a backlog of 3,000-5,000 applications.
• Bolt is expanding its rider identity verification system across South Africa, requiring ID numbers and selfies, to enhance safety and accountability.
• These efforts aim to move the e-hailing industry from regulation to practical implementation, addressing challenges and ensuring accessibility of licensing processes.

Bolt, a prominent e-hailing platform, has initiated a comprehensive compliance program across South African provinces, aiming to assist operators in securing their **Bolt e-hailing operating license South Africa** under the nation's updated regulatory landscape. This proactive approach comes as e-hailing operators continue to encounter difficulties in obtaining these essential licenses under the recently enacted framework. The company recently conducted regulatory engagements with both operators and transport authorities in the North West and Western Cape, focusing on critical areas such as licensing, safety protocols, enforcement measures, and fostering improved relationships within the e-hailing and minibus taxi industries.

The foundation for these compliance efforts lies in the **National Land Transport Amendment Act, 2023**, and the accompanying Second National Land Transport Regulations, 2025. These legislative instruments, gazetted by the Department of Transport last September, formally recognize e-hailing services as a legitimate mode of public transport in South Africa. Bolt itself was an early adopter, securing its Certificate of Registration from the **National Public Transport Regulator ZA** in February, shortly after the new regulations took effect. According to Fikile Nzuza-Chunga, Bolt South Africa's senior public policy manager, while the platform achieved its own compliance, the broader objective is to ensure the entire industry transitions effectively from regulation to practical implementation. This involves ensuring operators comprehend legal requirements, licensing processes function efficiently, and responsible institutions remain accessible.

Bolt's provincial outreach included a North West E-Hailing Regulatory Engagement Session held in Rustenburg on August 18, which saw participation from over 150 operators. Concurrently, a Western Cape Transport Dialogue took place in Cape Town on August 21. A significant outcome of the Western Cape engagement was a commitment from Mark Skriker, the director of licensing and adjudication at the Western Cape Mobility Department, to integrate e-hailing as a distinct service option for applicants seeking new operating licenses through the provincial government. This change directly impacts the **Western Cape e-hailing license process**.

In the North West province, the Provincial Regulatory Entity revealed a substantial backlog, with approximately 3,000 to 5,000 pending operating license applications across the region. To alleviate this, the regulator indicated a need for more frequent sittings and requested data from Bolt regarding the number of active operators within each municipality. Bolt has committed to supplying this information and continuing discussions with authorities on how to manage applications effectively while operators await processing. The Rustenburg session brought together diverse stakeholders, including representatives from the Provincial Regulatory Entity, the National Department of Transport, SANTACO, various operator associations, and e-hailing operators. Discussions covered a range of issues, such as operating license applications, association membership, the use of panic buttons, vehicle branding, and concerns about vehicles registered outside the province. Advocate Lungile Mabece, a key figure in drafting the new regulations and a representative from the National Department of Transport, was present to clarify the responsibilities of operators, platforms, and regulatory bodies.

Beyond licensing, the North West discussions also highlighted the critical need for robust identity checks for both drivers and riders. In response, Bolt is actively expanding its rider identity verification system across South Africa. This process mandates riders to input their South African ID number and submit a selfie, with the majority of these checks being automatically completed within minutes. Should automatic verification not be possible, riders may be prompted to provide an identity document for further scrutiny. The system leverages a dedicated verification partner and cross-references submitted information against records held by the Department of Home Affairs. This voluntary rider verification is already accessible nationwide, enhancing **Bolt driver and rider verification SA**.

The ongoing efforts by Bolt and provincial authorities underscore the complex transition facing the e-hailing industry in South Africa as it adapts to the new **South Africa e-hailing regulations**. The formal recognition of e-hailing services through the National Land Transport Amendment Act, 2023, marks a pivotal moment, yet its effective implementation hinges on accessible and efficient provincial processes. The challenges observed in the North West, particularly the substantial backlog in operating license applications, highlight the need for continued collaboration between platforms, operators, and regulatory entities to streamline procedures and ensure compliance.

The commitment from the Western Cape to simplify its e-hailing license application process demonstrates a responsive approach to industry needs. Furthermore, the expansion of **Bolt driver and rider verification SA** initiatives signals a broader industry trend towards enhancing safety and accountability, moving beyond mere regulatory compliance to foster a more secure ecosystem for all users. These provincial engagements are critical for translating national legislation into practical, workable solutions, ensuring that the regulatory framework supports both the growth of the e-hailing sector and the safety of its participants.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising e-hailing operators in South Africa must monitor the evolving provincial implementation of the National Land Transport Amendment Act, 2023, particularly changes to operating license application processes in regions like the Western Cape and efforts to address backlogs, to ensure client compliance.

Source: Original reporting via ITWeb