How to start driving for Uber or Bolt
Published 1 October 2026 · Ler em português
The first question almost everyone asks is whether you can sign up directly with Uber or Bolt. In Portugal you cannot: the law puts a licensed operator in between. Understanding that structure saves weeks.
The three layers of the law
Lei 45/2018 organises the sector into platforms (Uber, Bolt), TVDE operators licensed by the IMT, usually called fleets, and drivers holding a certificate. Platforms may only work with licensed operators, which is why a lone driver does not invoice Uber directly. The three possible routes are explained here.
The order of the steps
- 1. Get the driver certificate. A 50-hour course, a category B licence held over 3 years, minimum age 21, criminal record certificate. The full requirements.
- 2. Choose an operator. Compare the commission or slot fee, the payment cadence, and the type of contract offered.
- 3. Sign the written contract with the operator. It is a legal requirement, not a formality.
- 4. Register your activity at the tax office if you will work as self-employed. Step by step.
- 5. The operator handles the platform registration. It is the operator, not the driver, who holds the relationship with Uber or Bolt.
Self-employed or employed
Some fleets hire drivers as employees, with a salary and deductions made by the employer. Others work with self-employed drivers, who invoice the fleet and handle their own obligations. Insist on clarity about which is being offered, because the two tax lives are completely different.
Quick questions
Can I sign up directly with Uber or Bolt?
As an ordinary self-employed driver, in practice no. Lei 45/2018 requires platforms to work with TVDE operators licensed by the IMT, so you go through a fleet, or become an operator yourself.
What documents do I need to start?
A TVDE driver certificate, a category B licence held over 3 years with a group 2 endorsement, a criminal record certificate requested for the right purpose, and a written contract with the operator.
Do I need to register at the tax office?
If you work as self-employed, yes. If the fleet employs you, no: the employer handles the deductions.
After the certificate comes the paperwork: registering at the tax office, receipts to the fleet, VAT and Social Security. Zeelity handles that on autopilot, with a certified accountant behind it, from 16.90 euros a month.
Get early accessThis guide is informational and does not replace personalised advice. Legal requirements can change, so always confirm with the IMT.