E-hailing platforms in South Africa have committed to meet new safety legislation mandated by the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR), to improve the safety of passengers and drivers.
The National Land Transport Amendment Act, gazetted in September 2025, requires all e-hailing vehicles to clearly display branding on their vehicles, to install panic buttons and to secure and verify licences for drivers.
Both Bolt and Uber confirmed that they had submitted applications to the NPTR on behalf of their platforms and drivers to meet the new regulations by the deadline of March 11.
Uber and Bolt said they supported the introduction of the Act as it promoted clear, modern rules that strengthened safety, professionalism and accountability across the sector.
However, an IOL report revealed that only two of 10 applications had been gazetted and marked ready for consideration by the NPTR. This could put drivers at risk of operating illegally if their e-hailing brands do not receive approval by the March 11 deadline.
