Becoming a Bolt driver comes with many perks: you can make money when you want, be your own boss, and there’s no commitment as there’s no monthly fee you need to pay!

If you’re considering becoming a Bolt driver, here are a few of the lesser-known lessons, costs, and things you need to know to ensure your time as a Bolt driver is long, successful, and happy!

Driving lessons to get you started

Finding a suitable driving school is as simple as opening your favourite web browser and typing in “driving schools near me.”

The cost of driving lessons is generally very reasonable, and the skills you gain are worth their weight in gold when it comes to the added layer of safety on the road and the high ratings and tips you’ll receive from happy customers.

Get registered and get in business

While we always ensure we do our due diligence with finding the right partners, getting signed up as a Bolt driver is an easy, streamlined process.

Our driver registration form will only take you 5 minutes to complete and submit. Once you’ve been accepted and registered as a driver, you’ll need to complete your driver training either at a Bolt office or virtually.

We’ll review the necessary documents and once complete, we’ll open a driver account for you in the Bolt Driver application. You’ll need to have a working smartphone that runs at least Android 9.0 or iOS 12, so you can pick up passengers and navigate to their destination of choice.

If you don’t have a smartphone, our team can suggest a budget Android phone to get you started.

To learn more about driver registration and activation check out our post here

Get your vehicle ship-shape

If you’ve already got a ride, you’ll want to get it looking the way you did when you first drove it out of the showroom.

One of the things Bolt riders base their ratings on is the state of your car’s interior. So, it’s important to make sure it’s as clean and comfortable as possible. Be sure to rid the interior of any off-putting stains or offensive smells.

Remember that some air fresheners can just make things worse, so be sympathetic to sensitive noses before you buy that cotton candy air freshener or break out the pine-scented option in the middle of the summer.

Polish up your social skills

Even if you tend to be on the introverted side, that doesn’t mean you can’t be a fantastic driver. Still, it’s important to remember that even though your main activity is driving, you’re still in the customer service business.

One of the most important things you can do in every interaction is to verbally establish with your passenger where the final destination is to avoid any misunderstandings. It’s important to keep in mind that low driver ratings can mean losing driver privileges and access to the Bolt app.

Be sure to greet your rider warmly as soon as they enter your vehicle. If you tend to be on the more social side, that’s great!

Here are 101 conversation starters you can use on your next Bolt ride.

Just try to be sympathetic to the fact that while some riders will be more than happy to have a conversation, others just want to get lost in their thoughts while they watch the world fly by. Be aware and you’ll quickly become a pro at reading your passengers so you can gauge whether or not they’re in a chatty mood.

If you’re driving in an area with a lot of tourists, it can be helpful to brush up on the basics in a few common foreign languages to ease the communication barrier. And at the end of the ride, be sure to bid your rider farewell and wish them a good rest of their day, so you can be sure to leave a lasting good impression!

Take care of yourself

Making money as a Bolt driver can be a fulfilling, enjoyable experience, but it can also be hard work, as it requires you to spend a lot of time sitting down, sometimes in stressful situations if you’re in heavy traffic, navigating a confusing area, or you have a passenger running late for a flight they have to catch.

For this reason, it’s very important to take good care of your physical and mental health.

Be sure to take frequent breaks while driving so you can get out and stretch your legs. Hydrate regularly, eat healthily, and get plenty of quality sleep so you remain alert and well-rested once you’re back on the road.

And while it can be tempting to work as much as you can to maximise your earnings, be sure to take time for yourself and the people you love. This will ensure your time driving with Bolt is long, happy, and prosperous!

Got what it takes to thrive as a Bolt driver? Get started today!

Becoming a driver: lessons, costs and things to know

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