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  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

School transport (lift club or scholar transport): your step-by-step start

Drive children to and from school every day for a monthly fee, with the licences, permits and insurance the law needs.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Calm, punctual drivers with a suitable car or minibus, who parents trust with their children.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 90 days.
  • You have no way to get to customers or move your kit.
  • You cannot put about R3 000 into getting started.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 90 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: children’s safety comes first: carry only as many children as there are seatbelts, and use seatbelts and an adult helper for young children.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How school transport (lift club or scholar transport) worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Find out the PrDP and operating licence steps for your province3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Ask the school principal for a letter of support3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Apply for your PrDP, police clearance and operating licence3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Get passenger insurance quotes from two insurers3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Aim for draw up a parent agreement with fees, times and rules3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Plan a second route only once the first runs smoothly3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R3 000 to R20 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • A roadworthy vehicle with seatbelts for every child
  • PrDP and operating licence
  • Passenger liability insurance
  • Parent agreement and contact list

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.