South Africa’s e-hailing industry is preparing for significant regulatory changes. A National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTA) driver workshop, hosted by Bolt South Africa in partnership with the National Department of Transport (NDoT) and the Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE), held in Douglasdale on October 9, aimed to equip e-hailing drivers with the knowledge and tools needed to comply with new transport regulations, a milestone moment that formally recognises e-hailing within the country’s broader public transport framework.

Muzi Simelani, director at the National Department of Transport, said compliance with Regulation 23 and Regulation 24 of the National Land Transport Regulations of 2009 is not optional, but a legal requirement for all operators. According to the abovementioned regulation, every public transport vehicle, including e-hailing cars, must clearly display the operator, or management company’s, name and contact number.

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“It’s just an additional requirement to what is already in the law. All operators must display their contact numbers, and those numbers must actually work, not just be written on the vehicle. If someone calls, there must be a response.”

Simelani added that the same principle applies to how vehicles are licensed and used. “If a car is granted for e-hailing services, it cannot be used for other purposes while operating as such. In KwaZulu-Natal, all vehicles registered for public transport now carry black registration plates, and Gauteng will be implementing the same system by January next year.”

According to Simelani, this measure ensures that vehicles used for public transport are properly registered, monitored, and identifiable.

While most drivers welcomed the clarity brought by the new regulations, some shared mixed emotions. Sibusiso Khoza, an e-hailing driver, said he supports the new compliance drive, but remains anxious about the branding requirements.

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“I understand the importance of these rules, and I’m willing to comply, this is my bread and butter, but I’m worried about the branding part because it makes us easy targets. I’ve survived several carjacking attempts, and once a car is visibly branded, it’s easy for criminals to identify it as a Bolt vehicle.” He added that while compliance is non-negotiable, safety must remain a priority for authorities and companies alike.

Another driver, Thapelo Moloto, said that while the new system makes sense, the financial strain it could place on drivers is a concern.

“The fees to get compliant might be heavy for some of us, especially when we have to cover them ourselves, but I still think it’s worth it, if it means better safety and proper recognition for what we do. At least now passengers can see we are legitimate operators.”

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