Requirements for Bolt Driver in Kenya

Driving for Bolt in Kenya gives you a chance to make money and be your own boss. But before you start, you need to know some key things.

This post will tell you all you need to begin as a Bolt driver. We’ll cover the papers you must have and the skills that will help you do well. We’ll talk about what papers you need, the specs of the car you need, and the qualities that make you a top driver.

As we go further, you’ll find that being a Bolt driver involves more than just owning a vehicle. It’s about delivering top-notch service and making sure you and your riders stay safe.

1Bolt in Kenya

2Basic Requirements for Bolt Drivers

3What Documents Do I Need To Apply?

4What kind of Vehicles Do I Need to Become A Bolt Driver in Kenya?

5Can I use one Bolt account be used for more than one car?

6How long does it take to be accepted as a Bolt driver in Kenya?

7How much do Bolt Drivers make in Kenya?

8How Can I Apply As A Bolt Driver In Kenya?

9What soft skills do I need to be a bolt driver?

10Other Things To Expect Driving with Bolt

11Frequently Asked Questions

12Final Thoughts

13Reference

14Recommendations

Read: 10 Cheapest Electric Cars in South Africa to Explore

Bolt in Kenya

Bolt once called Taxify, stands as a key player in Kenya’s ride-hailing scene.

Since its 2016 launch, it has changed city travel by making it easier to get around and cheaper too.

For drivers thinking about joining, Bolt offers more than just a driving job; it gives them a chance to be part of a service that’s shaking up the transport industry in Kenya.

Basic Requirements for Bolt Drivers

To become a Bolt driver, you need to meet some key requirements. Here’s what you’ll need:

Age and License

Minimum Age: You must be at least 21 years old.
Driving License: You need a valid Kenyan driving license. Make sure your license isn’t expired or suspended before you start.

Vehicle Requirements

Your vehicle is your main work tool, so its condition and compliance with rules matter a lot.

Vehicle Specifications

Type: People pick a sedan or hatchback.
Age: Your car can’t be more than 8 years old. This helps make sure it’s safe and comfy.
Condition: Your car needs to be in good shape—both how it runs and how it looks. Keep up with regular tune-ups to keep your car running well.

Also Read: Uber to Add 100,000 New Electric Cars Worldwide, Not Including Africa

What Documents Do I Need To Apply?

Before you sign up to drive for Bolt, you’ll need to get these papers together:

A Kenyan ID or Passport that’s still good
A copy of your valid driver’s license
The logbook for your car
Proof of insurance
A clear passport photo
A valid certificate of good conduct from DCI
Driver’s PSV License (Badge) issued by the NTSA (only for car drivers)
An Android or iPhone Smartphone with GPS. Your phone should run at least Android 9.0 or iOS 14

Interesting: Read Bolt Announces 10% Fare Increase to Help Drivers Earn More

What kind of Vehicles Do I Need to Become A Bolt Driver in Kenya?

Here are some of the Bolt services you can find in Kenya and the various vehicles allowed for them;

Bolt Tuktuk
Bolt boda boda
Bolt Lite
Bolt Base
Bolt Green

Bolt Tuktuk

Bolt offers tuktuk services in Kisumu, Kakamega and Mombasa. Your tuk-tuk needs to be a 2013 model or newer and should have space for two passengers. Some of the cars you need are Mazda Demio, Toyota Vitz, Suzuki Swift, and Nissan Note.

Bolt boda boda

Bolt provides motorcycle services in Kisumu, Kakamega, Nakuru, Naivasha, Eldoret, Kitale, Mombasa, and Nairobi. Your motorcycle must be from 2013 or later and should have room for one passenger.

Bolt Lite

Bolt Lite operates in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kakamega, Mombasa, and Nakuru. Your vehicle needs to be a hatchback with room for more than three passengers. It must have an engine size between 650cc and 1500cc and be a 2011 model or newer.

Some of the cars you need here are Suzuki Alto, Hyundai i10, Toyota Axio, Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit, Honda Grace, and Nissan Tiida.

Bolt Base

You need a hatchback, sedan, or station wagon to qualify as Bolt Base. It runs in every city in Kenya, and the oldest car model allowed is: 2012 for Nairobi 2010 for Mombasa, and 2008 for places like Eldoret and Kakamega.

The vehicle must fit more than four passengers, and have an engine size of 1500cc for Nairobi and at least 1200cc for other cities.

Bolt Green

To join Bolt Green, you need a car made in the last ten years that fits more than four passengers. Some of the vehicles needed here are Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester etc.

Can I use one Bolt account be used for more than one car?

Yes, Bolt users who own more than one car can sign up as fleet owners on the Bolt platform. Here’s the link fleets.bolt.eu to register one account for several vehicles.

How long does it take to be accepted as a Bolt driver in Kenya?

Applying to be a Bolt driver online takes just a few minutes. Once your application goes through, you’ll get a call for a half-hour training session. After that, you can download the Bolt app from Google Play or the App Store and start driving for Bolt.

How much do Bolt Drivers make in Kenya?

What Bolt drivers earn depends on several things like how well they do how efficient they are, and how often they work. Where they operate also matters. Big cities have taken to these tech-based ride services more than small towns in Kenya.

Now, let’s look at this typical example, Bolt drivers in Nairobi make about Ksh400 per hour, while in Mombasa they earn Ksh220 per hour. Bolt takes a 20% cut from the money a driver makes on each ride.

If you drive for Bolt full-time in Nairobi, you’ll pocket around Ksh 4000-6000. This adds up to a monthly pay of Ksh60,000 or more.

Bolt drivers in other towns like Eldoret, Kakamega, and Nakuru bring home a monthly salary of Ksh40,000.

Read: Bolt Nigeria Processes Over 1,000 Insurance Claims for Drivers and Riders Since 2020

How Can I Apply As A Bolt Driver In Kenya?

After you’ve met all the requirements, you need to sign up with Bolt.

Online Sign-up

Get the App: First, download the Bolt driver app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Or Visit partners.bolt.eu Or bolt.eu
Set Up Your Account: Put in your personal info, like your phone number and email address.
Upload Your Papers: Send in the needed documents right through the app.
Pass a Check: Once you’ve sent in your application, Bolt will run a background check.

After they look over and give the thumbs up to your application, you’ll get more info on how to set up your account and start. This includes a quick intro session to help you use the app well.

What soft skills do I need to be a bolt driver?

To succeed as a Bolt driver, you need certain people skills that can boost your performance and enjoyment on the job. First off, being good at talking to people is important.

When you can explain things to passengers about where they’re going, any changes in the route, or just chat in a friendly way, it makes the ride better for everyone.

It’s also vital to listen well. Understanding what your riders want can lead to a more pleasant trip.

Also, managing your time well is key. As a Bolt driver, you’ll have to find quick routes through traffic and keep your schedule in check to pick up and drop off riders on time. This means staying organized and knowing when and where your city gets busy.

Also, a good attitude makes a big difference. When you’re friendly and easy to talk to, your passengers feel at ease, and you might get better scores and tips.

So, work on these people skills, and you’ll do well as a Bolt driver.

Other Things To Expect Driving with Bolt

When you start driving for Bolt, keep these key things in mind:

Earnings

How much you make depends on several things such as:

How many rides you complete
What time of day it is (busy traffic hours might mean higher fares)
Tips from customers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be a Bolt driver if I’ve had small traffic violations?

Small traffic violations might not stop you from driving, but big ones could make you ineligible. It’s a good idea to look at Bolt’s rules.

What papers do I need to show when I apply?

You need to show your driver’s license, ID card or passport, car papers, and proof of insurance.

Do they train new drivers after they’re hired?

Yes! Once they take you on, you’ll go to a training session. There, you’ll find out how to use the app and learn tips to give great rides.

Final Thoughts

Driving for Bolt in Kenya can give you a chance to make money while being your own boss.

If you check all the boxes – from your age and papers to your car’s condition – you’ll be off to a good start in this growing field. With city travel getting busier now’s a great time to jump on this chance.

Want to kick off your new gig with Bolt? Start getting your papers together and get set to hit the streets! This could be your way to make more money and help people get around in your area.

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