Updated 2 October 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026, so the car rules below are history, kept here for reference. If you bought or financed a car for Uber, keep your repayments going, get every change in writing and register on Bolt and inDrive; Moove has said its drivers may now use those apps.
This page covers the old Uber requirements and what to do with a financed car. For the cars Bolt and inDrive accept today, go to the full list of cars accepted by Bolt and inDrive in Nigeria.
What Uber required before it left
Uber’s Nigeria vehicle page, viewed in September 2026 before the exit, set these rules for Lagos and Abuja:
| Requirement | What Uber Nigeria said |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2000 or newer |
| Doors | 4-door car |
| Condition | Good condition, no cosmetic damage |
| Equipment | Working radio; for UberX, working windows and air conditioning |
| UberX body type | 4-door sedan seating at least 4 passengers plus the driver |
| Not allowed on UberX | Full-size vans, trucks, taxi cabs, government cars, marked vehicles, salvaged or rebuilt vehicles |
| Documents | Vehicle inspection report, insurance, roadworthiness certificate, valid hackney permit |
Source: Uber Nigeria vehicle requirements page, viewed 29 September 2026, before the exit. Uber did not publish a model list for Nigeria.
In practice, popular saloons such as the Toyota Corolla and Camry, Honda Accord and Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Kia Cerato fitted these rules. Those rules no longer decide anything, because the app is gone.
Why this matters if you financed your car
Many drivers bought or took cars on hire purchase, lease-to-own or weekly repayment plans designed around Uber income. When the app disappears, the repayment schedule does not. According to Technext, Moove drivers who operate small Suzuki cars on a loan scheme make weekly repayments over four years. Moove had barred them from other apps, and after the exit told them: “our business operations will proceed as usual until further notice, and you are free to continue operating through alternative ride-hailing platforms.” Drivers quoted by Technext still asked what happens to their remittances and worried about fares falling as competition grows.
The report covers Moove only. If your car came from another lender, a dealer or a private owner, read your own contract and ask them directly.
What to do now: a step-by-step plan
- Do not stop paying without talking to your financier. Missed repayments can trigger fees or repossession under most contracts. If income has dropped, say so early and in writing.
- Find and read your contract. Look for who owns the car until the last payment, what counts as default, whether you must use a specific platform, tracking or insurance conditions, and what happens if you fall behind.
- Ask for written confirmation of any change. If a financier says you may drive on other apps, ask for it by message or email. Moove’s statement is a general message to drivers, not your contract.
- Register on Bolt and inDrive straight away. Review times are quoted as 48 hours for Bolt and about a day for inDrive, so do not wait for your income to stop first.
- Check that your car is accepted. inDrive says standard rides need a 2002 model or newer and Comfort needs 2008 or newer. Bolt’s Nigeria page does not state an age; confirm in the app. A compact car may suit one category and not another.
- Re-do your sums. Weekly repayment, fuel, servicing and data against realistic earnings on one or two apps. If the numbers do not work, ask about restructuring or a longer term rather than falling behind.
- Keep records. Save your Uber trip history, earnings statements and every message with the financier.
Switching platforms: what to expect
| Bolt | inDrive | |
|---|---|---|
| How fares work | Set by the app | Rider and driver negotiate the fare directly (TheCable) |
| Fee | Not published on its Nigeria sign-up pages; check the app | About 10 percent, per inDrive via TheCable |
| Approval | Within 48 hours of submission | Online registration; documents reviewed |
Sources: Bolt Nigeria document requirements page; TheCable, 3 September 2026.
Competition is rising. TheCable says both companies are moving to capture the former Uber market, and Legit.ng reports Lagos Bolt and inDrive drivers planning an October shutdown over a 10 percent commission cap. A strike can cut your income while repayments continue, which is why a buffer matters.
Contract questions to put to your financier
- Can I use any ride-hailing platform or only a named one, and is that in writing?
- Is the repayment amount fixed, and can the term be extended if my earnings fall?
- Who pays for insurance, tracking and major repairs?
- What happens if I miss one repayment, two, or a month?
- Will I own the car at the end, and what are the exact final-payment conditions?
If an answer worries you, get advice from a qualified lawyer before signing any new document. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Own a car and want it working?
Thinking about putting a vehicle to work as an investment, or need a professional driver for your own trips? Talk to Travo. We are a booking and logistics platform and are not affiliated with Uber, Bolt, inDrive or Moove.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still have to repay a car I financed for Uber?
Yes, unless your financier agrees otherwise in writing. The contract is with the financier, not with Uber.
Can Moove drivers use Bolt and inDrive?
Technext reports that Moove told drivers on 2 September 2026 they are free to operate through alternative platforms while business continues as usual until further notice.
Does the 2000 model-year rule still apply?
No. It was Uber’s rule. inDrive’s stated minimum is 2002 for standard rides, and Bolt has not published one on its Nigeria pages.
What if my car is not accepted by Bolt or inDrive?
Ask the app’s support for the reason, check for photo or paper errors, and talk to your financier about options such as a different car or a revised plan.
Where can I get help with an Uber account?
Uber said its help centre would stay open for account queries until 23 September 2026. Keep your records and receipts.
Related guides
- Join a Bolt fleet in Nigeria
- How to verify vehicle documents in Nigeria
- Car tax calculator for Nigeria
- Affordable car service cost in Nigeria
- How to choose a used van without getting scammed
- Car hire service in Lagos
Sources: Channels TV (2 Sep 2026); Technext (2 Sep 2026); TheCable (3 Sep 2026); Legit.ng (Sep 2026); Uber Nigeria vehicle requirements page (viewed Sep 2026); Bolt Nigeria document requirements page (accessed 2 Oct 2026); Innovation Village (15 Jul 2026). Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
