Operating licence (OL)

OL Applications Open! Only the car owner can apply. Hand them your affiliation letter. Click here for more info.

Who Must Apply?

Only the vehicle owner may apply for an Operating Licence (OL). If you are a driver using someone else’s vehicle:

You will receive a Bolt affiliation letter.
You must give this letter to the vehicle owner as it's needed for the OL application.
The vehicle owner must complete the letter and apply at a Department of Transport (DoT) office or TOLAB. If you are not the car owner, they must give you a signed proxy letter and certified copies of their ID so that you can apply on their behalf.
The application will still be processed in the car owner's name.

How to Get the Bolt Affiliation Letter

You will receive the letter through one of these methods:

Validated letter from Bolt Customer Support (upon request)
You can request the letter through Bolt customer service in your driver app or visit the Bolt Driver Engagement Centre for in person support.
The vehicle owner must fill in the letter using their own details (name, ID/passport, vehicle info).

Documents the Vehicle Owner Must Bring

All copies must be certified on the date of application.

Documents for Individual Applicants

2 × certified copies of SA ID or foreign passport with a valid work visa/permit
2 × copies of your SARS Tax Compliance PIN (valid for at least 3 months)
2 × certified proof of address (not older than 3 months); If not in your name: police affidavit + certified copy of the address owner’s ID
2 × certified copies of PDP (if driving yourself)
Completed Bolt affiliation letter
Vehicle Roadworthy Certificate
Proxy letter (if someone applies on your behalf)

Documents for Company/fleet Applicants

2 × certified copies of each director’s SA ID
2 × certified copies of CK47
2 × SARS Tax Compliance PIN (valid ≥ 3 months)
2 × certified proof of company address
Bolt confirmation letter
Vehicle Roadworthy Certificate
Proxy letter from a director (if someone applies on behalf)

Cost

When applying for your Operating Licence, you will need to budget for:

Department of Transport application fee: ~R600 per vehicle
Vehicle Roadworthy Certificate: Up to R750 (costs vary by testing station and vehicle type)

Impound Reimbursement Process

If your vehicle is impounded while operating on Bolt, we may be able to assist with impound reimbursement.

Click here for important details

Application Process

1. Submit your full application pack to the Registration & Monitoring Directorate (PRE) to receive a stamped PRE referral letter for the Transport Operating Licensing Administrative Board (TOLAB). 2. Once you have the PRE referral letter, head to the TOLABs counter and submit the letter plus all required docs again (keep copies for yourself). 3. PRE/TOLABs will assess your application. 4. If approved, your OL details will be published in the Government Gazette for public comment. This waiting period can take weeks to months, depending on the backlog. 5. Once the gazette period passes without objection, you will be contacted to bring the original vehicle papers (RC1 document) to be attached to your OL. This is normally at the same TOLABs office where you applied. 6. You will be notified to come and collect your OL. Bring your ID and the original application receipt. 7. Upload the receipt to your Bolt profile

Tips

Useful tips:

Check application status at DoT every 4–5 months
Arrive early — queues can be longest mid-morning.
Have extra certified copies — they sometimes ask for duplicates unexpectedly.
Check certification date — must be same-day or very recent.

Where to Apply (Gauteng)

Johannesburg – Head Office - 45 Commissioner Street, Life Centre Building, Marshalltown - Tel: (011) 227 8341/45/46 | Email: Sechaba.tumelo@gauteng.gov.za - Hours: Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00 Pretoria – Tshwane Office - Cnr. Eskia Mphahlele & Johannes Ramokhoase Streets (opp. Marabastad Home Affairs) - Tel: (012) 327 3611/3738 | Email: Sarah.malele@gauteng.gov.za - Hours: Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00 West Rand Office - Kagiso DLTC, Umdeni & Kagiso Ave, Kagiso - Tel: (010) 345 0761/5 | Email: Eunice.maphanga@gauteng.gov.za - Hours: Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00 Ekurhuleni Office - No. 1 Hardach Street (opp. Germiston Magistrate’s Office) - Tel: (011) 437 5932 / (011) 876 3800 | Email: Wona.mosala@gauteng.gov.za - Hours: Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00

Final Note

Always confirm the office’s operating hours and whether an appointment is required. Use official websites or contact offices directly for the latest updates.

FAQ

At this current point, only Gauteng is accepting applications.

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