Bolt says it will follow e-hailing rules in South Africa as illegal risk looms

as the deadline for registration with the National Public Transport Regulator approaches. including Bolt, could soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law as the clock runs out on new government regulations. The government has introduced theNational Land Transport Amendment Act,requiringall e-hailing platforms, including Uber and Bolt, to register with authorities.The new regulations mandate that operators display proper vehicle branding, install panic buttons, and secure licenses for both drivers and platforms.

all e-hailing platforms, including Uber and Bolt, to register with authorities. The new regulations mandate that operators display proper vehicle branding, install panic buttons, and secure licenses for both drivers and platforms. The new rules were introducedto regulate the fast-growing e-hailing industry, improve safety for passengers and drivers, and address the long-standing tensions between e-hailing services and the traditional taxi industry.

The rules came into effect in September 2025. to regulate the fast-growing e-hailing industry, improve safety for passengers and drivers, and address the long-standing tensions between e-hailing services and the traditional taxi industry. The rules came into effect in September 2025 However, as the deadline looms next month, reports indicate that many platforms, including Boltt, have yet to complete the registration process, leaving thousands of drivers at risk of operatingoutside the law.

[paywall]

However, as the deadline looms next month, reports indicate that many platforms, including Boltt, have yet to complete the registration process, leaving thousands of drivers at risk of operating Romaana Sutton,Bolt’sspokesperson, told IOL that”the company welcome the formal regulation of the e-hailing sector and views the new regulations as an important milestone in strengthening certainty, safety, and accountability across the industry”. the company welcome the formal regulation of the e-hailing sector and views the new regulations as an important milestone in strengthening certainty, safety, and accountability across the industr Sutton added that Bolt remains focused on safety, accountability, and the ongoing strengthening of itsplatform’sintegrity, but did not provide details on whether the company has completed registration ahead of the looming deadline. Sutton added that Bolt remains focused on safety, accountability, and the ongoing strengthening of its integrity, but did not provide details on whether the company has completed registration ahead of the looming deadline.

[/paywall]