Updated 2 October 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026, so there is no Uber car list to qualify for any more. Bolt and inDrive are the ride-hailing apps still running: inDrive says standard rides need a 2002 model or newer and Comfort needs 2008 or newer, while Bolt does not state a model year on its Nigeria sign-up pages (third-party guides put it at 2004, which we could not confirm from Bolt).
Uber has left: what that means for your car
Uber ended 12 years of operations in Nigeria on 2 September 2026 and kept its help centre open for account queries until 23 September, according to Channels TV and Vanguard. The old rule that a car must be a 2000 model or newer, with four doors, no longer opens any door. Drivers who relied on it now have to meet the rules of the platforms that remain.
Bolt and inDrive have both said they intend to grow. TheCable reports that inDrive is actively recruiting displaced Uber drivers and says its service fee is about 10 percent, while Bolt has restated its commitment to Nigeria. Whether you already own a car, are buying one or are planning to finance one, the question is the same: will it be accepted, and will it earn enough?
Cars accepted by Bolt and inDrive at a glance
| Uber (ended 2 Sep 2026) | Bolt | inDrive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum model year | 2000 or newer | Not stated on Bolt’s Nigeria pages. A third-party guide says 2004 or newer. | 2002 or newer for standard rides; 2008 or newer for Comfort (inDrive spokesperson, July 2026) |
| Body type | 4-door sedan for UberX | Third-party guide lists sedans, SUVs, vans and crossovers | Not published by inDrive for Nigeria; confirm in the app |
| Condition | Good condition, no cosmetic damage, working radio | Third-party guide: no scratches or dents, working AC and horn, tidy headliner | Photos and papers must be clear and complete or the application can be rejected |
| Papers | Inspection report, insurance, roadworthiness, hackney permit | Vehicle licence, roadworthiness certificate, car photos (see below) | Driver’s licence and vehicle registration, plus other documents for your region |
| Review time | Not applicable | Within 48 hours of submission | inDrive’s Nigeria Facebook page has said about 24 hours (undated post) |
Sources: Uber’s Nigeria vehicle requirements page (viewed September 2026, before the exit); Bolt Nigeria document requirements page (accessed 2 October 2026); Nigerian Search Guide (undated, third-party); Innovation Village (15 July 2026); inDrive’s driver help page.
Treat the Bolt model-year figure with care. Bolt’s own Nigeria page tells applicants to have a vehicle that meets its accepted criteria but does not publish the age cut-off, and the 2004 figure comes from a third-party site. The Bolt Driver app shows what is accepted for your city when you register, and that is the answer that counts.
Which models usually fit?
Neither company publishes an official model list for Nigeria that we could verify. Mainstream, fuel-efficient cars from brands with cheap parts are the safe choice, provided the year is above the cut-off and the car is in good order. The table below is illustrative, not an approved list.
| Body type | Common examples | Why drivers choose them |
|---|---|---|
| Compact and mid-size saloons | Toyota Corolla and Camry, Honda Civic and Accord, Hyundai Elantra and Accent, Kia Cerato, Nissan Sentra | Parts and mechanics are easy to find; the standard choice for everyday rides |
| Small hatchbacks | Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Toyota Yaris | Low fuel cost; check whether the category you want accepts them in the app |
| SUVs and crossovers | Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson | More space and comfort; higher fuel and service cost |
| Vans and minibuses | Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona | Group rides; confirm the category is open in your city before buying |
Examples are drawn from models commonly named in third-party Bolt guides such as Nigerian Search Guide. Not an official Bolt or inDrive list.
Documents for Bolt
The Bolt Nigeria document requirements page lists what you must submit. Opening a Bolt driver account is free, and you must be at least 18 with a smartphone that has GPS (Bolt’s sign-up page says Android 9.0 or iOS 16 at minimum).
- A clear driver profile picture
- A valid driver’s licence
- A government-issued ID
- A vehicle licence certificate and a roadworthiness certificate
- A photo of the car’s exterior with the number plate visible, and one of the interior
- LASSRA and LASDRI cards for Lagos residents
Use our guide to How to verify vehicle documents in Nigeria before you buy a used car, because a missing or forged paper can stop an application.
Signing up for inDrive
According to inDrive’s driver help page, you switch to driver mode in the app, choose online registration and upload photos of your documents and personal details. Expect to provide a valid driver’s licence and a vehicle registration certificate, with a minimum age of 18. Documents can vary by location, so the in-app list is the one to follow.
inDrive Nigeria told Innovation Village that 2002 is the minimum model year, and that applications can also be turned down for poor-quality photos, incomplete paperwork or unmet registration requirements. In practice, retake photos in daylight, make sure the plate is readable and upload every required page.
Cars that are likely to be turned down
- Cars older than the platform’s cut-off year (2002 for inDrive standard rides)
- Vehicles with visible body damage, a broken air conditioner or missing basics such as a working horn
- Cars with incomplete or expired papers
- Blurry, cropped or mismatched photos of the car and plate
- Cars that fail the category you chose: a 2005 car cannot be listed as inDrive Comfort
Be especially careful with Tokunbo cars that have been rebuilt after an accident. Uber’s old rules excluded salvaged and rebuilt vehicles and we could not confirm how Bolt or inDrive treat them, so ask before you pay.
Choosing a car in the post-Uber market
- Fuel and servicing decide your profit. Small-engine saloons usually cost least to run in traffic. See Affordable car service cost in Nigeria.
- Air conditioning matters for passenger ratings. Budget for it: Car air conditioning recharge cost in Nigeria.
- Expect pressure on earnings. TheCable notes inDrive’s roughly 10 percent fee, but Legit.ng reports Lagos app drivers planning an October shutdown to demand a 10 percent commission cap, so fees and fares may shift.
- Do not buy on one platform’s promise. Register on both apps before you commit money to a car.
- Check tax and registration costs first with the Car tax calculator for Nigeria.
If you financed a car for Uber
Some drivers took vehicles on weekly repayment plans built around Uber. Technext reports that Moove, the financier, now says drivers are free to use alternative platforms such as Bolt and inDrive while operations continue as usual until further notice. Keep making your agreed repayments and get any change to your contract in writing.
Own a car and want it earning?
If you are thinking of putting a vehicle to work as an investment, or you need a vetted driver for your own trips, talk to Travo. We are a booking and logistics platform, not part of Bolt or inDrive.
Frequently asked questions
What cars are accepted by Uber in Nigeria now?
None. Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026. Use the Bolt and inDrive rules above instead.
What is the minimum car year for inDrive in Nigeria?
An inDrive Nigeria spokesperson said 2002 is the minimum for standard rides, and a report of 15 July 2026 gives 2008 for Comfort.
What is the minimum car year for Bolt in Nigeria?
Bolt’s own Nigeria pages do not state one. A third-party guide says 2004. Confirm in the Bolt Driver app.
Can I use an SUV or van for Bolt or inDrive?
Third-party guides say Bolt accepts SUVs, crossovers and vans. inDrive has not published its Nigeria body types, so check in the app.
How long does approval take?
Bolt says applications are reviewed within 48 hours of submission. inDrive’s Nigeria Facebook page has mentioned about 24 hours.
Can I drive on both apps?
Nothing we found stops a private owner using both. If a financier or fleet owner supplied the car, check the contract first.
Related guides
- Join a Bolt fleet in Nigeria
- How to verify vehicle documents in Nigeria
- Affordable car service cost in Nigeria
- Car air conditioning recharge cost in Nigeria
- Car tax calculator for Nigeria
- How to choose a used van without getting scammed
Sources: Channels TV and Vanguard (2 Sep 2026); TheCable (3 Sep 2026); Technext (2 Sep 2026); Legit.ng (Sep 2026); Bolt Nigeria document requirements page and driver page (accessed 2 Oct 2026); Innovation Village (15 Jul 2026); Nigerian Search Guide (undated). Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
