Inflation is on the rise, yet income seems to be stagnant and the available jobs are not enough to meet the rising cost of all the comforts of life. Despite this, there are still a good number of ways to make good money, and becoming a bolt driver is one of them.
Since Bolt was founded in August 2013 by Markus Villig with its head office in Estonia, Bolt has taken different names, they were mTakso and Taxify, but now known as Bolt.
Bolt is a transportation company that connects passengers to drivers through its dedicated app. With its online interface, it affords comforts to both Bolt drivers and customers that traditional drivers may not get. A driver does not need to drive around to look for customers while the customers can also order from anywhere just like it would do on any eCommerce store.
The company has established its presence in 45 countries. In Nigeria, it started operation in the busy regions of Lagos in 2016 before spreading out to over 25 states in Nigeria.
Bolt has recorded several successes in the country. It is one of the jobs one could take without being subjected to the whims of the boss. It can be taken as a full-time job or you can just be in it to earn some extra cash.
If you are ready to register as a bolt driver, try to read fully our guides first on how to get started:
Basic Requirements to become a Bolt Driver
- Drivers must be at least 21 years old at the time of registering for bolt driving jobs in Nigeria.
- A prospective bolt driver must have a valid ID card. The card could be your NIN card, voter’s card, or driver’s license.
- Drivers must not have been indicted as a criminal before. A clean criminal record is necessary.
- A smartphone (IOS and Android) that has GPS support. All modern android phones now have a GPS chip.
- Be available to attend training online in order to ensure quality service delivery and how to make use of the Bolt App.
- If you will be operating in Lagos State, then you are to provide the following documents, LASRRA Card, Driver Badge, and LASDRI Card.
Vehicle required for Bolt Driving Jobs
- Any vehicle produced from 2003 beyond is accepted and must also have a perfectly working Air conditioner, and 4 doors.
- Documents such as vehicle license, Proof of ownership, Insurance certificate, Certificate of road-worthiness, AutoGenius Vehicle Inspection Report
- Other additional documents will also be tendered if you will be working in Lagos, they are State Hackney Permit and vehicle body tag for all routes.
How much can you make as a Bolt Driver
A driving job is one of the most lucrative jobs in Nigeria especially when you are in Cities with a high propensity for cab drivers.
In Lagos, you can make as much as 10,000 in a day, you are getting about NGN 300,000 when you sum in a month. In Abuja, you can make not less than NGN 350,000 in a month.
However, the amount you can earn in a month will depend on how hard you can grind and your level of efficiency. Even with less effort as a bolt driver, you should be getting at least 25,000 in a week which gives you NGN 100,000 in a month.
It should also be noted that your earnings can also be boosted through the following ways: taking jobs at the busiest time, bonuses, price rise, taking all orders, and turning all back to back orders.
How much commision does Bolt take?
Like every business, the main motive of starting one is to make a profit. Bolt charges 20% on all orders which will largely depend on the location or city you are operating from.
Meanwhile, charges are not made on bonuses, tips, or any airport or toll fee. The 20% commission might look big but when you consider how a driving job is made easy and the vast amount of orders you can take using their seamless app, then you will realize it is a little to pay for their efforts.
When do Bolt Drivers get paid?
With Bolt driving jobs, you do not need to wait for the end of the month before being paid. Payments are calculated every week and made ready for cash out.
The cycle runs from Monday to Sunday, and you are also given an option to request for payout before payday. A small fee is charged for requesting an early payout.
Cars Not Accepted By Bolt In Nigeria
Below is the list of cars that are not accepted by Bolt:
- A badly used, damaged, or refurbished vehicle.
- A vehicle that only has two doors.
- Vehicles that are owned by agencies, the government, or any other private establishment.
- Taxies or other marked/uniform cars will also be rejected.
- A car with no fully functioning AC.
- Vans, buses, trucks, and other related ones are not accepted.
Recommended vehicles for Bolt driving jobs
Most vehicles are allowed on bolt provided they are manufactured from 2003 and onwards, but the most common ones recommended for prospective drivers who want to become bolt drivers include Honda Accord, Kia Rio, Honda Element, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Kia Sorento, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, and Hyundai Tucson.
How to register to become a Bolt Driver in Nigeria
Below are the steps to take to become a Bolt Driver in Nigeria. The same guide applies to all the supported states in Nigeria including Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Benin
1. Ensure the requirements are readily available
Satisfying the requirements should be a priority. We have already listed all that is required of you including the various documents that you are going to need.
Also, an acceptable vehicle that would be used to convey passengers should be made available. You will need to provide the required documents as stated by Taxify (Bolt). We have the required documents listed for you already.
The vehicle does not have to be yours, it could also be from a friend, family, or someone you know. Still, it will need to fulfill all the requirements.
Vehicle financing from Bolt is also available for drivers who are already active in Lagos and Abuja. This provides you an opportunity to own your vehicle while repayment is spread over 3 to 4 years. To get started, visit the Bolt Vehicle Financing page and apply. However, be ready to pay an upfront payment of up to 5% of the total value of the car. For instance, if the value is 1,000,000, an upfront payment of N50,000 will need to be paid to Bolt.
2. Procure a GPS supported Smartphone
An Internet-enabled smartphone is required to work as a Bolt driver. It is not just any smartphone but one installed with a GPS chip.
Most transportation companies use this to keep track of you while on duty. It can be used to track your location and the speed of the vehicle. If you already own such device, there won’t be any need to buy another.
If you need to buy on credit, you can check our easybuy mobile phone financing and pay as scheduled.
3. Register as a Bolt Driver
Once you have covered the basic requirements needed to be a Bolt Driver in Nigeria, the next step is to sign up. This should not take more than 3 to 5 minutes depending on how fast you are.
To register as a Bolt Driver, simply visit the bolt driver sign-up page. Provide the necessary information in the fields and submit it online.
Once completed, you will receive information on training and other information about getting your documents inspected. It is as simple as that.
4. Get your vehicle inspected by Bolt
Despite being sure that your vehicle is in good shape for the Bolt driving job, it will still need to be inspected by qualified personnel. Bolt has a good number of inspection centres in every state they operate in Nigeria.
Your vehicle must be checked and certified to run on the road by any of the registered and approved inspection centers. You can find one close to you. Once certified, the inspection report will be valid for 6 months. Bolt inspection fee is N1,200 per vehicle. They open from Monday to Saturday between 9 am to 5 pm.
Visit the Bolt Inspection Centre page to know the nearest inspection centre near you.
5. Training
Then comes the training part. This is one of the most vital aspects as it opens you up to the quality guidelines and what to expect of you as a driver.
The training can be attended online. You do not need to visit a training center. However, after watching the tutorial videos, you are to take two tests which you must pass.
Follow this bolt training registration page to apply for the training. This should be done in no time.
6. Download the Bolt Driver app
Now that you are on this step, it is just a matter of time before you start hitting the street. Both Android and IOS are supported, all you need to do is visit the page, and click “Install” to automatically have the Bolt App downloaded and installed on your mobile device.
7. Log into your dashboard using the Bolt App
After installing the app, you can now sign in to your Bolt driver account using the login details sent to your email after being approved.
8. Get yourself familiar with the app
When you get a ride request, you will be provided information such as where to pick up the passenger, estimated distance to the passenger, and arrival time.
Swipe right to take a ride request, you have only 20 seconds to confirm the request. When you reach the pickup address, you will need to swipe right again to send a notification to the passenger that you are now around.
9. Payment methods
Being a new driver, you may not understand how payment is made which is why this section is also very important. Customers have two options to make payments, they are in cash or via card.
Cash payments are made to you while payment using bank cards will reflect in your balance on the bolt app. This is remitted every start of each week, Monday precisely.
10. Start making money as a Bolt Driver in Nigeria
The minimum wage in Nigeria is NGN 30,000 which is not even enough considering the increased inflation rate. The inflation rate may likely increase further and the best way to manage it is to secure a high-paying job.
With Bolt driving jobs, you can make up to 350,000 in a month depending on how much you are willing to go and your efficiency. To climb this ladder, it is best you start seeing it as a business rather than an income just to feed the belly.
