How To Become a Bolt Driver in the UK (2024 Guide)

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summary

• Bolt offers a flexible, lucrative side hustle for UK drivers
• Securing a PCO licence and insurance is crucial for Bolt drivers
• Bolt drivers can earn an average of £22 per hour
  

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast: How To Become a Bolt Driver in the UK (2024)

Emerging as a key player alongside Uber in the UK's evolving ride-hailing landscape, Bolt provides a significant opportunity for those seeking to earn additional income. 

Interested in becoming a Bolt driver in the UK? Our updated 2024 guide delivers all the necessary information to embark on this side hustle. Dive into this article for essential insights and practical steps to navigate the ride-hailing industry successfully and start earning with Bolt.

Bolt is a reliable and established company serving primarily as a ride-hailing app. While the company started in Estonia, it now has a presence in more than 40 countries, including the UK. In the UK, Bolt drivers operate in several cities and towns, including London, London airports, Cambridge, and Birmingham.

Bolt offers a wide fleet of vehicles with vetted drivers. Riders can also rent scooters if they don’t want cars. Aside from ride-hailing, the Bolt app can provide food and grocery delivery services. In this article, we will focus on becoming a driver and help you get started with the sign-up process.

✅ Read our comprehensive guide on Becoming a Food Delivery in the UK.

As a Bolt driver, you will be using the Bolt app to pick up riders (customers) and drive them to their destinations. You won’t be a full employee. Instead, you will work as an independent worker in charge of your schedule. There is a lot of flexibility in this type of business model, so even those with a day job can work during their free time as a Bolt driver.

As an independent self-employed driver, you will also be in charge of securing your own insurance, permits, and required licences. You will also have to handle your taxes, petrol, and other financial matters.

Becoming a Bolt driver involves a few straightforward steps, though gathering the necessary documents for upload requires some effort. Here's how to proceed:

Sign Up on Bolt

You can apply to be a Bolt driver on their website here. Simply add the details requested, such as the specific town or city where you want to drive. Bolt will get back to you with an email for the next steps.

Upload the Required Documents

The required documents will vary depending on the location. In London, you’ll need to have the following:

• Private Hire Driver Licence (PCO) and PCO Driver Badge
• Licensed Private Hire Vehicle (PHV)
• Bank Statement
• Profile Picture
• DVLA Driving Licence and Check Code
• Hire and Rewards Insurance

Start Driving

After your account activation, you can begin operating as a Bolt driver. Those who don’t have a car of their own can rent a vehicle from Bolt. The company has a fleet partner you can hire a vehicle from, although you will have to cover this cost.

Securing bank statements, your current licence, and a profile picture is relatively straightforward. However, obtaining a Private Hire Driver Licence (PCO) demands more effort, as it's a crucial requirement proving your suitability for driving. To acquire a PCO, follow these steps:

• Register With Your City: Those in London must register with Transport for London (TfL). Other local councils will have their own governing bodies that provide private hire driver licences.

• Pass a Background Check: Most, if not all, local councils will ask you to undergo a criminal background check to ensure good character.

• Medical Declaration: You will need to obtain a medical declaration from a qualified healthcare practitioner or GP. This document proves that you are in good health for private hire driving.

Pass Required Exams and Evaluations: Again, these tests will differ from city to city. TfL requires the following, and most others usually do :

• Topographical Skills Test: The test assesses your knowledge of London’s (or your chosen city’s) streets and your navigation skills.

• English Speaking and Listening Test: Your ability to understand and communicate in English will be tested in this evaluation.

• Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) Test: In this exam, your examiner will evaluate your understanding of various laws relevant to private hire driving.
  

Another requirement that requires some to effort to secure is a licensed private hire vehicle (PHV). To convert your vehicle into a PHV and obtain the necessary licence, it's essential to comply with the standards and regulations stipulated by your local council. The following are required for London vehicles:

• V5C DVLA vehicle registration document
• Hire and reward insurance documents
• MOT certificate issued within the last 14 days
• Vehicle modification documents

You will need to bring the documents detailed above to your vehicle inspection appointment.

Although this process requires some effort, it's not insurmountable, and many drivers successfully secure the required licences each year.

✅ Check out our comprehensive guide on the key licences for UK Ride Hailing: PCO vs PHV

A hire and rewards insurance policy provides coverage for private hire drivers, ensuring that they’re protected from liability and other risks that come with the job. Having a policy provides a financial safety net from passenger liability claims, property damage, public liability, and other risks.

This policy is required by Bolt and by most local councils providing private hire licences. It’s important to secure a policy that follows the requirements of these bodies. Keep in mind that you’ll cover the premiums for this policy, so find one that’s also cost-effective and won’t take up too much overhead.



You can find a qualified Insurance Broker who can guide you on the requirements at The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) website here: https://www.biba.org.uk/find-insurance/

Once you’ve applied and submitted your documents and Bolt has verified them, the company will message you to schedule an onboarding meeting. The team will activate your account and help you take a profile picture to use for your driver’s profile. After this step, you can begin driving for Bolt and transport passengers across the city you chose.

Bolt provides weekly payouts to drivers, sending money to the bank account you signed up with. How much are you getting weekly and hourly? According to Glassdoor, pay averages at £22 hourly, which is way above the national minimum wage. However, these are just estimations, as some drivers could earn as low as £5 an hour due to a lack of passengers.

Bolt calculates your salary based on factors like the distance you drive and the minute rate. The company also charges a commission from your weekly earnings, with the percentage dependent on your city and other factors. To maximise your earnings, make sure to work during in-demand hours, even holidays. Being friendly and professional to passengers is also great as this could lead to higher tips.

✅ Check out our in-depth comparison of food delivery driver earnings in the UK across top platforms like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats. Find out which app offers the best hourly rates, benefits, and opportunities to maximise your income.

As we mentioned, you will need to handle your own taxes as a Bolt driver. You’ll technically be classified as self-employed since you’re an independent worker. Thankfully, you won’t need to pay taxes until you reach the limit of the trader’s allowance, which is £1,000. If you pass this threshold, you will need to register with HMRC for self-assessment and begin paying your dues.

We recommend keeping a close eye on your transactions to ensure accurate records when filing your tax return.

✅ Read our comprehensive guide on side hustles and your tax obligations.

If you’re someone who values flexibility and the freedom to work on your own schedule, then being a Bolt driver may be a great fit. You’ll only need to have a vehicle, driving and navigation skills, and a pleasant personality to succeed in this line of work. The potential high hourly rate is a great benefit, too.

There are some challenges you might face, especially at the start. In particular, the requirements to become a private hire driver may seem like a lot. Thankfully, they’re a one-time thing. After that, you only have to consider the annual renewal of some licences.

Embarking on a journey as a Bolt driver offers an excellent opportunity to supplement your income with the added benefit of flexible scheduling. While the sign-up process is designed to be user-friendly, it does require a commitment of both time and effort to navigate successfully. By following the detailed guide outlined above, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the essential requirements needed to kickstart your venture. Equip yourself with this knowledge, and take the first step towards leveraging your driving skills into a rewarding side hustle with Bolt.

As you contemplate the journey of becoming a Bolt driver in the UK, it's clear that ride-sharing offers a flexible and potentially lucrative side hustle for those looking to enhance their income. But Bolt isn't the only player in the field. If you're eager to expand your horizons and explore further opportunities in ride-sharing, our next article is just what you need. Delve into "How to Become an Uber Driver in the UK" to uncover another avenue for generating income through ride-sharing. This guide will equip you with all the necessary steps, tips, and insights to navigate the Uber platform, ensuring you're well-informed to make the best decision for your side hustle journey. Don't miss out on the chance to explore all your options and maximise your earning potential.

HOW TO BECOME AN UBER DRIVER IN THE UK

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast

How To Become a Bolt Driver in the UK (2024 Guide)

Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.

Today, we're looking at How to Become a Bolt Driver in the UK. In today's gig economy, diversifying your ride-sharing platforms can significantly enhance your earning potential. Signing up for both Bolt and Uber presents a strategic advantage, offering drivers access to a wider customer base and more consistent work opportunities. The real-world tip here is to leverage the unique benefits and peak times of each platform. For instance, while Bolt may offer lower commission rates in some areas, Uber's surge pricing during high-demand periods can substantially increase your earnings. Balancing your time between these platforms requires a bit of strategy but ensures that you're always in the best position to maximise your income. Furthermore, engaging with two platforms increases your marketability and provides a safety net; should one platform experience a slow day, the other may compensate. However, it's crucial to manage your schedule effectively to avoid burnout and ensure you're delivering the highest level of service on both platforms. This approach, embraced by savvy drivers, underscores the importance of adaptability and financial acumen in the competitive ride-sharing landscape.

That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!

https://www.similarweb.com/blog/insights/travel-news/similarweb-data-on-uber-and-bolt-in-the-uk/

https://bolt.eu/

https://bolt.eu/en/support/articles/360015360819/

https://bolt.eu/en/driver/

https://bolt.eu/en/support/articles/360009722719/

https://tfl.gov.uk/

https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/private-hire-vehicle-licence

https://www.glassdoor.com/Hourly-Pay/Bolt-Driver-Hourly-Pay-E1326734_D_KO5,11.htm