Ride-hailing app Bolt is one of the popular digital taxis in Kenya. Launched in Kenya in 2016, the travel company offers various shared mobility services including ride-hailing, scooter e-bike, and car rental, as well as food, and grocery delivery via the Bolt Food app.
The multinational company has over 200 million lifetime customers with more than 4.5 million drivers using the platform around the world.
Some of the main reasons why consumers prefer Bolt over competitors is due to its reliability. The cab is fast, convenient, and affordable. The cab is also equipped with state-of-art security features guaranteeing the safety of drivers and passengers.
According to the Bolt Rewind Report 2024, a significant number of Kenyans utilized the Bolt app in 2024 with a record rider completing 1,477 trips. The top driver completed 8,104 trips, reflecting dedication and the growing demand for Bolt’s services.
The figures highlight the lucrative nature of the business making it attractive to Kenyans intending to venture into the cab business.
This article offers guidance on how to get started with the Bolt business as well as must-do things that will boost your earnings as a Bolt driver.
How to Become a Bolt Driver in Kenya
Before being onboarded as a Bolt driver, applicants are required to submit some documents which include:
* A clear passport photo
* National ID
* A valid certificate of good conduct from DCI
* A valid driver’s license
* Driver’s PSV License (Badge) issued by the NTSA (only for car drivers)
* Vehicle Logbook/Sales Agreement
* Vehicle’s NTSA Inspection sticker/report
* Vehicle’s PSV insurance sticker
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Applying to become a Bolt driver is easy as it is done in the comfort of your home, all you need is a phone or computer with an internet connection.
To get started, visit https://bolt.eu/sw-ke/driver/ and register for a driver’s account by filling in your email, phone number, and your location. Upload the required documents and submit and wait for Bolt’s response.
Successful applicants are contacted and invited for training at the Bolt Training Hub. The beauty of Bolt is that you don’t need to be a car owner to earn with the app as it accepts a wide range of motors like Tuktuks, boda boda, and vehicles.
How much money do Bolt Drivers make?
The estimated earnings for full-time Bolt drivers in Kenya is between Ksh 3,000 in Nairobi and Ksh 2,080 in Mombasa per day.
According to Bolt, if you’re one of the top drivers in Nairobi, you could make over Ksh 115,000 at the end of the month and Ksh 41,600 in Mombasa.
“Bolt driver earnings depend on two factors — performance and efficiency. To maximise your earnings, you need to capitalise on things like peak periods, bonuses, and surge pricing. But ultimately, your earnings will also depend on the total hours you drive,” Bolt states.
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The cab, which operates across Kenya’s major cities including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa charges a commission of 20% on every trip.
“As a Bolt driver, you also need to factor in operational costs. We recommend you find out how to optimally deduct your operating costs (car repairs, fuel, etc.),” it advises.
How to maximise your earnings as a Bolt driver
To help drivers boost their earnings, Bolt advises drivers to always make good use of their time on the wheel. If a driver hits a certain number of trips at a certain period, they receive bonuses adding to their income.
Additionally, drivers who drive in the morning and evening rush hours make more money compared to those who work in low-demand hours.
Bolt says that more passengers search for a ride on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m and in the evenings from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday evenings.
After each trip, encourage your passengers to rate their experience. High positive ratings earns the driver more bonuses.
