How to Become a Taxi or Bolt Driver in Riga
To work as a Bolt or taxi driver in Latvia, you must be registered in the Taxi Drivers' Register (Taksometru vadītāju reģistrs) maintained by the Road Transport Administration (ATD). People call it different things — "ATD licence", "taxi licence", "taxi driver's certificate" — but it's all the same thing: an entry in the Taxi Drivers' Register. This page explains the whole process step by step. And if you join OkoRide, we help you get it done.
Requirements for registration
- ✓Valid category B driving licence with at least 3 years' driving experience
- ✓Fewer than 8 penalty points
- ✓Latvian language proficiency at minimum level B1 (basic level A is not sufficient)
- ✓No fine decision in force during the last 6 months for an administrative violation committed while providing commercial passenger transport
- ✓If your licence was issued outside Latvia — a copy of the licence; if issued outside the EU/EEA — also a certificate confirming no driving ban is registered
Important about the language requirement: proficiency is proven by an official state language certificate or a document confirming education completed in Latvian (secondary or primary school diploma). There is no way around it — ATD verifies documents, and submitting a forged certificate is a criminal offence. If you don't yet have a B1 certificate, you can take the exam at the National Centre for Education (VISC). Requirements are set by Cabinet Regulation Nr. 149.
Registration steps
- 01
Prepare your documents. Driving licence and, if needed, your state language certificate.
- 02
Apply online via ATD's e-services at e.atd.lv.
- 03
Pay €55.95. Cashless payment only.
- 04
ATD reviews the application — up to one month from submission, but in practice a couple of working days.
- 05
Start driving the same day you appear in the register. Plastic cards are no longer issued — registration is fully electronic.
Registration is valid for 3 years.
Driver registration vs. carrier licence
Driver registration — the only thing you need as a driver.
Carrier licence and licence card for each vehicle — the company's obligation.
If you drive with OkoRide, the licence and licence cards are already taken care of.
What OkoRide provides
- ✓We guide you through the registration process
- ✓We reimburse the €55.95 registration fee (after 3 months and at least 500 rides)
- ✓Official employment — we handle taxes and reporting
- ✓Tesla with no rental fee and no deposit
- ✓Insurance, charging and maintenance — all covered
- ✓Flexible shifts via the OkoRide app
Frequently asked questions
Are "ATD licence" and "taxi licence" the same thing?
Yes. Both are informal names for registration in the Taxi Drivers' Register maintained by the Road Transport Administration. There is no separate "licence" for drivers — a driver only needs the register entry.
Can I work on Bolt without this registration?
No. Commercial passenger transport with a light vehicle, including rides on the Bolt platform, may only be performed by a driver registered in the register.
Do I need to resubmit the language document when re-registering?
No — if you first registered on 17 August 2020 or later, the language document doesn't need to be resubmitted.
How fast can I start earning?
Review can take up to a month, but in practice registration usually comes through in a couple of working days. Once you're in the register, you can start driving as soon as the next day. You can apply to OkoRide while you wait — once your registration is active, you can start working.
How much does registration cost and how long is it valid?
The fee is €55.95 and registration is valid for 3 years.
Does OkoRide cover the registration fee?
Yes. If you've been with OkoRide for at least 3 months and completed at least 500 rides, we reimburse the €55.95 fee.
Registration is simpler than it looks — and you don't have to do it alone. Apply to OkoRide, we'll help you through the ATD registration, and a fully covered Tesla will be waiting for you.