Bolt riders are urged to verify that the driver’s photo, name and vehicle registration match the details displayed in the app before entering a vehicle.
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BOLT has escalated its enforcement against driver profile sharing in South Africa, introducing stricter controls, actively suspending offending drivers, and increasing identity verification checks to multiple times a week as part of a broader push to strengthen rider safety.
“Profile sharing is a serious breach of our standards and a direct violation of the trust placed in us by riders and drivers. We are acting firmly and without hesitation. Any driver found sharing an account will be permanently suspended,” said Simo Kalajdzic, senior operations manager at Bolt South Africa.
The move marks a significant tightening of Bolt’s safety controls, with driver identity verification checks now conducted multiple times a week to ensure that only vetted and approved drivers are operating on the platform at any given time.
Driver profile sharing, where an individual other than the registered driver uses a Bolt account, is strictly prohibited. Bolt has also begun actively suspending drivers found to be profile sharing or impersonating others, in addition to permanently removing accounts linked to such misconduct.
The company has strengthened its monitoring systems to detect irregular account behaviour, accelerated investigation processes, and intensified audits across its operations, particularly within fleet partnerships.
Dashcams continue to play a key role in improving accountability. Across branded fleet-operated vehicles, dashcams form part of Bolt’s operational agreements with fleet owners. Bolt continues to advocate for wider adoption of this technology as both a deterrent and an investigative tool.
The platform also maintains a range of in-app safety features, including visible driver photos, vehicle details, and an emergency button that provides immediate support to riders and drivers during trips.
Riders are urged to verify that the driver’s photo, name, and vehicle registration match the details displayed in the app before entering a vehicle. If there are any discrepancies, riders should cancel the trip and report it via the app by selecting the “driver was not the same” option on the cancellation screen, or alternatively, contact support directly through the app.
“We understand that trust must be earned every day. Removing bad actors and strengthening our systems is an ongoing priority. Safety is not a campaign; it is how we operate,” Kalajdzic added.
Further safety enhancements are expected to be rolled out in South Africa in the coming months as Bolt continues to invest in platform integrity and user protection.