Applying for an Operating License (OL)

This guide provides a step-by-step reference for Bolt operators (car owners) to apply for a public transport Operating Licence (OL) in South Africa using Form 1B.

This guide follows the structure of Form 1B to reduce rejection risk and help you complete the application correctly.

NB: PROVINCIAL REQUIREMENTS MAY VARY. This guide is based on the national Form 1B and commonly applied provincial practices. Each Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) may request additional documents or apply slightly different processes.

NB: THIS IS AN EVOLVING GUIDE. We will continue updating this guide as we receive confirmed clarity from provincial government departments.

The Bolt Affiliation Letter is a required supporting document for your Operating Licence application.

This letter is issued by Bolt and can only be requested through our Customer Support team.

You can request your Affiliation Letter using one of the following options:

• Email: [email protected]
• Use the Help section in your Bolt Driver app
• Visit a Driver Engagement Centre (DEC)

JOHANNESBURG 29 Bond Street, Ferndale, Randburg Appointment only. You must book an appointment before visiting the Johannesburg DEC. Click here to book your appointment

CAPE TOWN 0A Odin Drive, Thornton, Goodwood Walk-in only. No appointment is required. You can visit the Cape Town DEC to request your Affiliation Letter.

We provide the following PDF documents to support your application:

Form 1B (Gazetted Version)

NB: YOU MUST CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE USING THE CORRECT FORM 1B FOR YOUR PROVINCE. Always check your Provincial Regulatory Entity website before submission to ensure the version is accepted.

An easy way to check this is in SECTION F. You must see e-hailing service as a selection.

Platform Terms of Ride Hailing Service

You must submit both the Affiliation Letter and the Platform Terms of Ride Hailing Service together. Both documents form part of your platform supporting documents.

Labour Declaration Template

This confirms compliance with labour legislation and supports the Form 1B checklist requirement.

Pending Investigation Declaration Template

This confirms that you have no pending criminal investigations, where required.

Agency Letter Template

This applies if the vehicle is not registered in your name. The registered vehicle owner must complete and sign this template.

These documents and form sections apply to every applicant, whether you are applying as an individual or a company.

1.1 FORM 1B APPLICATION

• FORM 1B: Use the Form 1B issued by your province.

In Section A: Tick New Operating Licence if this is your first application.

In Section F: Tick e-hailing service if you are operating on the Bolt platform.

In Section K: Sign and date the declaration.

NB: INCOMPLETE OR INCORRECTLY TICKED SECTIONS CAN RESULT IN REJECTION.

1.2 IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS

• Certified copy of your ID, Passport, or valid Work Permit. If applying as a company, attach:
• Certified company registration documents (Certificate of Incorporation, Founding Statement, or Partnership Agreement).
• Certified ID of the authorised representative. NB: CERTIFIED COPIES MUST BE LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD.

1.3 TAX COMPLIANCE

• Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN (TCS PIN). If applying as a company, the TCS PIN must be in the company’s registered name.

1.4 LABOUR COMPLIANCE

• Signed declaration confirming compliance with labour laws. This aligns with the Form 1B checklist requirement.

1.5 VEHICLE INFORMATION (SECTION L)

• Operating licences are issued per vehicle. You must complete Section L for each vehicle and pay the application fee per vehicle.

For each vehicle, provide:

• Vehicle registration number
• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Make and model
• Year of manufacture
• Number of passengers to be carried

You may list up to three vehicles on Form 1B. If you have more than three, attach a separate page with the same details.

If no vehicle is owned at present, please indicate the type of vehicle/s that you intend to purchase.

NB: YOU MUST PAY THE APPLICATION FEE FOR EACH VEHICLE LISTED.

1.6 EXISTING OPERATING LICENCES

• Copies of operating licenses or permits of vehicles operated (If applicable) (SECTION M)

1.7 BOLT PLATFORM AGREEMENT (Bolt letter of recommendation)

• Letter or document of recommendation in support of the application

This applies if you are applying in your personal name.

In addition to Section 1, you may be required to provide:

• Proof of residential address (utility bill, bank statement, or municipal letter).

NB: MUST BE LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD.

If the vehicle is not registered in your name:

• Agency or authorisation letter from the vehicle owner.
• Certified copy of the vehicle owner’s ID.

This applies if you are applying under a registered business.

In addition to Section 1, you may be required to provide:

• Company registration documents (if not already attached).
• Signed proxy letter authorising the representative to apply.
• Proof of address for the authorised representative.
• Certified ID of the authorised representative.

Ensure Section C of Form 1B (Person responsible for juristic person) is fully completed.

Some PRE offices may require additional documents or steps not explicitly listed in Form 1B.

These may include:

• Criminal record clearance or police clearance certificate.
• Signed declaration that you do not have a pending criminal investigation against your name.
• Panic button installation confirmation.
• Vehicle branding confirmation.
• Roadworthy certificate at the application stage.
• Additional affidavits or declarations.

NB: ALWAYS CONFIRM WITH YOUR LOCAL PRE BEFORE SUBMISSION TO AVOID REJECTION.

STEP 1: Ensure all sections of Form 1B are correctly completed. STEP 2: Attach all required certified documents. STEP 3: Make a full copy of your application for your records. STEP 4: Submit your application in person at your Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE). STEP 5: Pay the required application fee per vehicle. STEP 6: Request proof of submission or a reference number.

Processing times may vary by province. In many cases, the process may take approximately 60 to 90 days.

Once your application is approved, you will receive written notification from the PRE.

You must complete final vehicle requirements within the timeframe stated in your approval letter.

Before collecting your Operating Licence, you may need:

• Working panic button installed (if required by your province).
• Approved e-hailing vehicle branding applied.
• Valid roadworthy certificate.
• Vehicle inspection by the designated authority.
• Approval notification letter.

NB: FAILURE TO MEET DEADLINES STATED IN YOUR APPROVAL LETTER MAY RESULT IN CANCELLATION.

Costs may be payable at different stages depending on your province. Some provinces require certain items at the application stage, while others require them only after approval.

Application stage costs may include:

• PRE application fee: is R600
• Printing and document certification: about R50 to R150.

After approval, before collecting your licence, you may need:

• Panic button installation: about R500 to R1,500.
• Vehicle branding: These requirements have not been specified
• Roadworthy certificate: about R500 to R800.

Ongoing operating costs may include:

• Annual vehicle licence disc: about R400 to R900 per year.
• Roadworthy renewal if required: about R500 to R800.
• PrDP renewal: about R600 to R1,200 every two years.
• Panic button tracking subscription: about R100 to R350 per month.

NB: COSTS ARE APPROXIMATE AND MAY DIFFER BY PROVINCE, VEHICLE TYPE, OR SERVICE PROVIDER. ALWAYS CONFIRM CURRENT FEES WITH YOUR LOCAL PRE AND SERVICE PROVIDERS.

You must submit your application to the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) in the province where you intend to operate.

Below are the main PRE office locations. If you are unsure, contact your provincial Department of Transport.

• GAUTENG Official Website: www.gauteng.gov.za

JOHANNESBURG (MARSHALLTOWN): Life Centre Building, 45 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, 2107

JOHANNESBURG (GERMISTON): Germiston Office, 1 Hardach Street (Opp. Magistrate’s Offices), Germiston, 1401

JOHANNESBURG (KAGISO): Kagiso DLTC, Cnr Umdeni & Kagiso Avenue, Kagiso, 1754

PRETORIA: Tshwane Office, Cnr. Eskia Mphahlele & Johannes Ramokhoase Streets, Pretoria, 0002

• WESTERN CAPE Official Website: www.westerncape.gov.za/mobility

CAPE TOWN: Vangate Shared Service Centre, Cnr Bosduif & Volstruis Roads, Bridgetown, Athlone, 7764

GEORGE: York Park Building (2nd Floor), Cnr St. John & York Street, George, 6529

• KWAZULU-NATAL Official Website: www.kzntransport.gov.za/

DURBAN: Durban PRE, 15 Bronze Street, Bayhead, Durban, 4001

PIETERMARITZBURG: KZN DoT Head Office, 291 Pietermaritz Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201

LADYSMITH: DoT Regional Office, 12 Colinwaal Place, Ladysmith, 3370

• EASTERN CAPE Official Website: www.ectransport.gov.za

EAST LONDON: DoT Office, 107 Western Avenue, Vincent, East London, 5247

PORT ELIZABETH (GQEBERHA): Govan Mbeki Building, 259 Govan Mbeki Avenue, Central, Gqeberha, 6001

MTHATHA: Government Building, 128 Chief Jojo Drive, Southridge Park, Mthatha, 5099

• FREE STATE Official Website: www.fs.gov.za

BLOEMFONTEIN: Perm Building, 45 Charlotte Maxeke Street, Bloemfontein, 9300

• MPUMALANGA Official Website: dpwrt.mpg.gov.za

MBOMBELA (RIVERSIDE PARK): Riverside Park Ext 2, Government Boulevard, Mbombela, 1200

MBOMBELA (EHLANZENI): Ehlanzeni District, 14 Bester Street, Mbombela, 1200

EMALAHLENI: Pakamisa Building, 4 Hertzog Street, eMalahleni, 1035

• LIMPOPO Official Website: www.ldot.gov.za

POLOKWANE: Phamoko Towers, Cnr Bodenstein & Church Street, Polokwane, 0699

THOHOYANDOU: Government Building, Thulamela Street, Thohoyandou, 0950

• NORTH WEST Official Website: nwpg.gov.za

POTCHEFSTROOM: NW DoT Office, 11 Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom, 2531

RUSTENBURG: Old Town Hall, Cnr Steen & Kloof Street, Rustenburg, 0299

MAHIKENG: Tirelo Building, 157 Carrington Street, Mahikeng, 2745

• NORTHERN CAPE Official Website: www.northern-cape.gov.za

KIMBERLEY: Southey Chambers, 1st Floor, 18 Southey Street, Kimberley, 8301

NB: ALWAYS CONFIRM THE OFFICE’S OPERATING HOURS AND WHETHER AN APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED

Ensure all documents are accurate and consistent with vehicle registration details.

Ensure all certified copies are valid and recent.

Ensure your tax status is compliant before applying.

If your application is declined, you have the right to appeal the decision.

Appeals are submitted to the Transport Appeal Tribunal (TAT).

NB: APPEALS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME STATED IN YOUR REJECTION LETTER. CONTACT YOUR PRE IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR APPLICATION IS DECLINED.

NB: THE FINAL DECISION AND DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS REMAIN AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROVINCIAL REGULATORY ENTITY.