Bolt is a popular ride-hailing (and delivery) platform that offers drivers flexible earnings on their own schedule. Becoming a Bolt partner in Croatia means registering with Bolt as a driver or fleet owner and meeting the legal and technical requirements to provide transportation services. Below, we provide a detailed guide through all the steps: from the required licenses and documents to the registration process and starting driving.
Becoming a Bolt partner requires that you are a self-employed person (e.g. a craftsman) or that you have your company registered in the court register for road transport. It is also mandatory to obtain a license for autotaxi transport from the local state administration office (or the Administrative Body of the City of Zagreb) according to the company’s headquarters. In addition to the license, it is also necessary to obtain a permit from the local government to provide passenger transport services in the area where you will work. In practice, this means that, before you start driving and accepting passengers, you must meet all legal requirements: register your activity in the road transport register and obtain all necessary permits for the operation of a taxi service.
Requirements and documents for Bolt drivers
Before registering with Bolt, make sure you have all the necessary documents and requirements. According to the official Bolt support list, to register as a driver you will need the following:
- Valid driver’s license – appropriate category (e.g. B category for passenger vehicles).
- Vehicle registered to you or your company – the vehicle must have a proper registration (vehicle registration document).
- Proof of vehicle insurance – compulsory auto insurance (Liability and comprehensive insurance) for the vehicle is mandatory.
- Driving experience – usually implies a few years of driving experience;
- A vehicle that meets the requirements – the vehicle must be technically sound, clean, and meet Bolt’s requirements (e.g., an approved taxi car category);
- Certificate of no criminal record – extract from the criminal record (not older than six months).
For example, a clean driving record serves as proof of good standing, which is a legal requirement for obtaining a taxi license (good standing is proven by this certificate). You must provide all of the above items when applying for Bolt and during the license application process.
License and registration of activities
The basic requirement for officially operating a taxi service (autotaxi) in Croatia is a license . According to the Road Transport Act, autotaxi transport can be carried out by a legal or natural person – a craftsman if it is registered in the court or trade register for the road transport activity . This means that you must first establish a trade or company (if you have not already done so) with the purpose of providing taxi transport services. After registering the activity, you submit an application for a license for autotaxi transport to the competent state administration office (in the county or in the City of Zagreb).
The license is issued by the county office according to the seat of your business/company. In the license application, you must specify the type of transport (taxi) and provide evidence that you meet the legal requirements (e.g. registration in the register of transport activities). One of the main requirements is a good reputation – that is, a certificate of no criminal record. Once you have obtained a license, it is still necessary to request a local license (individual or fleet) from the city or municipal government in order to be able to legally accept passengers in that area. In practice, Bolt states that the only requirement for obtaining a license is to have a taxi license, so be prepared for the formalities of applying to the local government.
Steps to sign up for the Bolt platform
Once you have met all the legal requirements, you can start signing up for the Bolt app as a driver. The Bolt registration process is presented in a simple three-step sequence:
- Register online: Visit the Bolt Driver website or download the Bolt Driver app and register . Enter the city you want to drive in and your license/tradesman’s permit type. You will then receive an email with instructions for the next steps.
- Document Submission: Prepare and upload the required documents – ID card, valid driver’s license, vehicle registration certificate and proof of vehicle insurance, as well as a clean bill of health. Bolt will verify that all requirements are met. At this stage, documents often need to be submitted via the Bolt app or login system.
- Vehicle organization: If you already have your own vehicle, you simply connect it to your driver profile. If you don’t have your own car , Bolt can connect you with one of the fleet owners who offer car rentals at favorable terms. Thanks to the Bolt partner network, you can continue driving without owning your own car by renting a vehicle.
After submitting your information and documents, you usually have to wait for your account to be approved. Bolt says the registration process only takes a few minutes and that once you activate the app, you can start driving with a flexible schedule.
Important: while driving, the vehicle must meet technical requirements (which include airbags, ABS, Euro standards, etc. – details are available on the Bolt website). You must also have a smartphone (Android 9.0 or iOS 14+) with an internet connection to use the Bolt Driver app.
Register as a Bolt fleet owner
If you already have a company and plan to organize multiple drivers and vehicles, you can become a Bolt Fleet partner . In this case, your drivers can drive under the umbrella of your fleet, and you will manage the vehicles. To register a fleet, it is enough to fill out a special online form. Bolt support states: “If you have your own company that meets all the necessary requirements, you can create or register your fleet through the Bolt platform”. Specifically, visit the Bolt fleets page (fleets.bolt.eu) and fill out the fleet request form. Bolt’s local team will review your application and contact you with further information.
The requirements for fleets are essentially the same as for individual drivers: you must have a registered company (or trade) and a valid taxi license. In addition, each driver in your fleet must have their own driver’s license, ID card, and the necessary vehicle documents. As the fleet owner, you will be responsible for fleet insurance and general conditions for your drivers. Therefore, before activating the fleet, prepare all the necessary paperwork (registration, licenses) so that the drivers can work without any problems.
Advantages and ways to earn
Working with the Bolt platform brings several advantages. Drivers often highlight the flexibility – you choose when to drive, so you can balance the extra income with other commitments. Bolt promises weekly payments to the driver’s (or fleet’s) account, which means you earn every week based on the trips you complete. Bolt’s marketing message lists a potential weekly income of up to €978 by driving a few hours a week. For the sake of objectivity, Bolt adds that this amount is the median income earned in Croatia in September 2025. This means that half of the drivers earn more and half less than this amount, depending on the number of driving hours, location and time. Bolt specifically emphasizes that the final earnings are not guaranteed and depend on the length and number of trips, campaigns and tips.
In general, many drivers work part-time and as a side income, while others work long hours. In any case, driving for Bolt can be a reliable source of extra income because there are no fixed subscription fees – Bolt only takes a commission on the revenue from the ride, and the price of the ride is shown to the passenger in advance. Depending on the city and demand, there may also be periodic bonuses or incentives.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main steps to becoming a Bolt partner?
First, make sure you have a registered business or road transport company and obtain a taxi license, as without them you cannot officially accept passengers. Then, sign up for Bolt via their website or app. Enter your basic information, select your city and license type, and submit the required documents (driver’s license, registration, insurance, clean bill of health, etc.). Finally, organize your vehicle – use your own or rent one from the fleet. Once Bolt verifies all your information, you will receive an active profile and can start accepting rides.
Do I need a license for taxi transportation?
Yes. According to Croatian regulations, a driver offering taxi services via an electronic application must have a taxi license, just like an official taxi driver. Licenses are issued by the competent state administration office in the area where the company/business is headquartered. Without this license and the appropriate registration of your business, you will not be able to be verified as a Bolt partner (fleet owner or driver).
What documents do I need to apply for Bolt?
You will need basic documents about yourself and your vehicle. Specifically, your driving test, valid ID, vehicle registration, and proof of vehicle insurance. You will also need to submit a clean driving record . Bolt lists all the necessary items for driver registration on its website. If you are using your own vehicle, confirm that it meets the technical requirements (airbags, working turn signals, etc.) according to Bolt’s standards.
Do I have to have my own car?
Not necessarily. If you don’t have your own car, Bolt can help with renting a vehicle from one of the registered fleet owners. This means that by registering on the platform, you can connect to a fleet that has more vehicles and borrow a vehicle under the sublease scheme. Additionally, Bolt timetables usually have a “Find a vehicle” (renting) option to get you started if you’re a pure driver without a car.
What is Bolt’s commission and how is earnings calculated?
Bolt charges commission only on completed rides – there are no fixed membership fees. The commission amount varies depending on the city and the agreement, but for example in some areas it can be around 15-20%. All payments (i.e. the price of the ride) go directly to the driver (or fleet), and Bolt only takes its percentage. Earnings are paid weekly, and the app always shows how much your gross earnings and commission amount will be before the ride begins.
Where can I drive with Bolt?
Bolt service is present in most major cities in Croatia (e.g. Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Zadar, etc.). When registering, you specify the city in which you want to work. Be sure to check the updated list of cities on the official Bolt website or in the app, as Bolt expands its network to new cities from time to time.
Cover photo: Photo by appshunter.io on Unsplash
