Nowadays drivers are forced to join online taxi business because clients prefer them to individual taxis. When someone orders for the taxi through the App, they get the details of the driver, which are important in case of any problem in the course of the journey.
Below is a list of top 5 best online taxi companies in Kenya and how drivers register to use their Apps:
UBER
Uber is so far the most popular online taxi company in Kenya, it has registered over 3,000 drivers.
Uber driver requirements
Upload your documents
Time for some paperwork. There are some of the documents we need to see:
- National identity card (must be over 24 years old)
- PSV driving license
- Complete a safety screening (Nairobi and Mombasa)
- Complete a Certification session
- Provide a driver profile photo
- Must be a forward-facing, centered photo including the driver’s full face and top of shoulders, with no sunglasses
- Must be a photo only of the driver with no other subject in the frame, well-lit, and in focus. It cannot be a driver’s license photo or other printed photograph
Activate your account
If you’ve completed all the above steps, congratulations! You’re ready to activate your account and start making money.
To create an account you need an email account and your phone number.
Uber vehicle requirements
Your vehicle must-haves
- Model year 2012 and above
- 4-door car
Your paperwork
- Motor vehicle registration book
- PSV insurance
- Vehicle inspection report
- Business permit
- Partner National ID
Uber X
Only spacious sedans and stations wagons with an engine capacity above 1300cc and less than or equal to 1800cc will be eligible for Uber X category.
Additional requirements
- 4 door sedan in good condition
- Working windows and air conditioning
- No full-sized vans or truck vehicles
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
Uber CHAPCHAP
UberCHAPCHAP is the everyday compact ride. Small hatchbacks with an engine capacity of 1300cc or less are only eligible for uberCHAPCHAP trips.
Additional Requirements
- Car in good condition
- 8 year age limit
How to load your documents
Pro-tips doe uploading your document
- Upload a clear and readable copy
- Ensure your Vehicle Registration Number, Make and Model match the vehicle that is on your Uber account
- Remember to always upload the correct document to the field. Incorrect documents will not be accepted
BOLT
Another popular taxi company in Kenya is Bolt. It’s even almost overtaking Uber.
Bolt vehicle and driver requirements in Kenya
To know if your vehicle qualifies to drive for Bolt, please check the vehicle requirements for the categories in Kenya below:
- Tuktuk
- Boda
- Bolt Lite
- Bolt Base
- Bolt Green
• Bolt XLa new vehicle to your profile, you will need to provide documents listed in the Vehicle documents section.
Tuktuk
Available in Kisumu & Kakamega and Mombasa
- Vehicle must be no more than 10 years old
- Vehicle must seat two passengers.
Boda
Available in Kisumu & Kakamega, Nakuru & Naivasha, Eldoret & Kitale, Mombasa, and Nairobi
- Bike must be no more than 10 years old
- Bike must seat one passenger.
Bolt Lite
Available in Nairobi, Kisumu & Kakamega, Mombasa, and Nakuru
- Nairobi: Vehicle must be no more than 16 years old
- Kisumu & Kakamega, Mombasa, Nakuru: Vehicle must be no more than 14 years old
- Vehicle must seat at least 3 passengers
- Vehicle must be a Hatchback
- Vehicle must have an engine capacity of between 650cc and 1500cc
- Vehicle must be in good cosmetic condition.
Bolt Base
Available in all cities in Kenya
- Nairobi: Vehicle must be no more than 16 years old
- Mombasa, Kisumu & Kakamega, Nakuru & Naivasha, Eldoret & Kitale, and Mount Kenya: Vehicle must be no more than 14 years old
- Vehicle must seat four passengers
- Vehicle must be a Hatchback, Sedan or Station Wagon
- Nairobi: Vehicle must have an engine capacity of 1500cc or more
- Other cities: Vehicle must have an engine capacity of between 1200cc and 1500cc
- Vehicle must be in good cosmetic condition.
Bolt Green
Available in Nairobi
- Vehicle must be no more than 16 years old
- Vehicle must seat four passengers
- Vehicle must be a specious Sedan or Station Wagon
- Vehicle must be in good cosmetic condition
Note: In Nairobi, electric/hybrid vehicles are accepted for both Bolt Lite and Bolt Base, subject to logbook approval.
Bolt XL
Available in Mombasa and Nairobi
- Mombasa: Vehicle must be no more than 14 years old
- Nairobi: Vehicle must be no more than 16 years old
- Vehicle must seat six passengers (the number of passenger seats must be indicated in the insurance policy)
- Vehicle must be in good cosmetic condition.
Vehicle documents
Boda (Motorbike) documents
If you want to add a new motorbike to your profile, fill in the new vehicle application on the driver portal and upload the required documents:
- Motorbike photo, displaying a number plate
- PSV insurance.
Car documents
If you want to add a new vehicle to your profile, fill in the new vehicle application on the driver portal and upload the required documents:
- Vehicle photo
- PSV insurance
- Vehicle Logbook
- NTSA System Generated Inspection Report (available on the NTSA TIMS platform).
BOLT DRIVER REQUIREMENTS IN KENYA
Below are documents required by Bolt in Kenya for you to use their App:
- Passport photo
- National ID
- A valid Police Clearance Certificate from DCI
- Driver’s regular driving license
- Driver’s PSV License (Badge) issued by the NTSA (only for car drivers)
- Vehicle Logbook/Sales Agreement
- Vehicle’s NTSA Inspection sticker/report
- Vehicle’s PSV insurance sticker.
LITTLE CAB
Drivers also have the option of joining little cab, which is equally good .
Little Cab Vehicle Requirements
- The vehicle must be fully registered as a PSV along with an inspection sticker. The vehicle must pass inspection.
- Copy of logbook and NTSA inspection report.
- PSV insurance.
- Music Copyright Society (MCSK) sticker.
Little Cab Driver Requirements
- Valid driving licence.
- Certificate of good conduct.
- Valid PSV Licence and badge.
- National ID.
- KRA PIN Certificate.
- Passport size photograph.
- The driver will be required to fill out a declaration form by little cab.
- An authorisation form for screening purposes.
HAVA
Hava has its operations in Nairobi and surrounding satellite towns.To register as a driver,you must have a National ID card,Smartphone,Valid driving licence and certificate of good conduct.
WASILI
Wasili is the most popular online taxi App in Nakuru and most towns in Rift Valley.To register your car with this company,you must have a valid driving license,ID card,Certificate of Good Conduct and a car which is in good condition.