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 Scans.ai only, meaning you can now complete yours entirely from your phone and 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 Scans.ai and only a Clear result in successful registration or document renewal.

Complete your check in the Scans.AI app

Complete your check in the Scans.AI app

Add your background check to your vehicle inspection for just R149 extra — one session, one payment. Scans.AI (previously CarScan) lets you do your criminal record check on your phone, at the same time as your vehicle inspection. No fingerprints. No store visit. No travel. No queues. Everything happens in one sitting, and your results are delivered digitally, ready for Bolt. Here's how:

Step 1: Open Scans.AI on your phone. Go on to Scans Ai in your browser — nothing to download.

Step 2: Select your Vehicle type Choose either Car or Bike (No vehicle yet? Choose "Onboard without a Vehicle" to do the check on its own.)

Step 3: Add the background check. Under Optional Add-ons, make sure Background Verification is ticked — it's just +R149 with your inspection.

Step 4: Answer the citizenship question. South African or not, everyone is welcome — simply select what applies to you.

Step 5: Continue and pay once. The total is shown upfront before you pay — no surprises, no extra fees later.

Step 6: Finish everything in one sitting. Complete your vehicle inspection, then take a short guided selfie in good lighting — that's your identity check done in real time. No fingerprints needed.

Step 7: Get your report. It arrives within 24–48 hours. Upload it to the Bolt Driver app — it opens without a password. Doing the check on its own, without a vehicle? That costs a flat R249.

Start your CRC here

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. Conviction Recorded: A matching conviction was found on the SAPS database. Inconclusive: The search couldn't be completed or confirmed.

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.

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.

You may qualify for expungement if, per the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977:

At least 10 years have passed since your conviction (5 years if you were 18 or younger at the time)

You received a qualifying sentence (e.g. a fine, suspended sentence, correctional supervision — not direct imprisonment without the option of a fine) You haven't been convicted of another offence carrying imprisonment without the option of a fine during that period You're not on the National Sex Offenders Register or Child Protection Register (or you've had your name removed)

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