Streamlined Criminal Record Checks (CRCs)

Details on the criminal record check process and why it’s required for all drivers.

Criminal Record Checks (CRCs)

Every Bolt operator needs a clear criminal record to drive. Bolt accepts CRCs from two approved providers — both are valid for registration. You can now complete yours entirely from your phone — no store visit needed.

What is a Criminal Record Check?

A Criminal Record Check (CRC) is a documented record of a person's criminal convictions and pending cases. It's a required part of the Bolt registration process and helps us verify your identity and keep the platform safe. Bolt accepts a CRC from either of two approved providers — and in both cases, only a Clear result is accepted.

Complete your check in the Scans.AI app

Complete Your Background Check with Scans.AI

Scans.AI (previously CarScan) lets you complete your background check on your phone—no fingerprints, store visit, or travel required. The cost is R249.

  • Open Scans.AI on your phone. Go to on.scans.ai/bolt/za/driver/login in your browser. It runs right in your phone's browser — nothing to download, nothing to queue for.
  • Select Onboard without Vehicle.
  • Confirm your citizenship status.
  • Pay the R249 fee.
  • Complete the guided selfie check in good lighting.
  • Receive your report within 24–48 hours and upload it to the Bolt Driver app.

Start your CRC here

Huru (In-Store)

Huru: In-store Background Check

Visit a participating PostNet or Jetline store with your payment and valid ID or passport.

  • Have your fingerprints captured.
  • Select your service: Standard (R335, 24–48 hours), Premium (R395, under 5 hours), or Priority (R565, under 2 hours).
  • Receive your report by email.
  • Unlock it using your date of birth in YYYYMMDD format and upload it to Bolt.

Important: Huru does not accept temporary PrDPs or asylum seeker/refugee documents. Submit your report within 12 months and use your PrDP expiry date as the report expiry date.

Find your nearest Huru

CRC FAQ

  1. Open the Driver app and go to your Documents section.
  2. Select Criminal Record Check
  3. Upload the PDF Copy
  4. Submit — you'll see a "Pending Review" status while our team verifies it.
  5. You'll be notified once it's approved or if you need to resubmit.

A CRC will come back with one of three outcomes:

Clear — no criminal convictions found. Hit — a matching conviction was found on the SAPS database. Inconclusive — the search couldn't be completed or confirmed (see below).

An inconclusive result usually means SAPS couldn't get a clean match from the fingerprints submitted — this can happen because of poor print quality, a data mismatch on the database, or missing identifying information. It doesn't mean there's a conviction; it means the check needs to be redone, usually with fresh fingerprints at a police station.

A "Hit" means SAPS found a recorded conviction against your fingerprints. It confirms you have at least one criminal conviction on the Criminal Record Centre database — it does not reflect arrests or charges that didn't lead to a conviction, as those aren't recorded on a CRC.

A hit reflects an actual conviction for a criminal offence — for example theft, assault, fraud, drug-related offences, or other criminal charges that resulted in a guilty finding and sentence. Being arrested, charged, or acquitted doesn't produce a hit; only a finalised conviction does.

Your Police Clearance Certificate itself lists the specific offence(s) and sentence(s) recorded against you. If you're unsure or the certificate is unclear, you can request more detail at the SAPS Criminal Record Centre where it was issued.

Yes — depending on the offence and how long ago it happened, you may be able to apply to have it expunged (permanently removed from the database). See the Expungement section below for eligibility.

Visit your local police station.

  • Provide your contact details and a certified copy of your identification document: ID doc (for ZA citizens) or passport (for Foreign nationals) - bring original along too.
  • Fill out the SAPS 91(a) application form. See here for how to complete this form.
  • Pay the required fee at the police station - the current prescribed fee is R170,00 per application (note: this is subject to change)
  • Undergo fingerprinting for a background check.
  • Wait for processing, which can take several weeks.
  • You will receive an sms to monitor the progress of your application.
  • acknowledging receipt of the application with a reference number
  • a follow-up sms will be sent upon completion of the application.
  • intermittent updates can be obtained on the SAP’s website while the application is being processed.
  • Return to the police station to collect your certificate. Proof of identity must be presented when the certificate is collected.

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