What it’s like to be a female taxi driver in Croatia

Taxi driver Arjana at work 

Zagreb, 4 April 2025 – Historically, driving jobs have been male-dominated, partly because women gained access to driving licences and vehicles later than men.

However, pioneering women like Bertha Benz paved the way for change. In 1888, she drove over 100 km in a car without a licence, defying societal norms.

Croatia has kept pace with European trends in women’s driving emancipation. An example dates back 111 years when Croatian noblewoman Alma pl. Balley passed her driving test on 7 April 1914, challenging societal expectations.

For decades, social pressures limited women’s presence behind the wheel. However, the 1950s and 1960s brought significant change, and female drivers became more widely accepted worldwide.

Saudi Arabia was the last country to lift its driving ban for women, finally allowing them to drive in 2018.

Today, more women are confidently entering the taxi industry.

Interestingly, Croatia is among the countries with the highest number of female drivers on the Bolt platform.

Bolt actively supports and encourages women to work in ride-hailing while providing safety measures and empowering them to pursue professional freedom on the road.

Arjana’s story

We bring you the story of Arjana, a Bolt driver who has found both professional satisfaction and personal fulfilment in taxi driving. This career has allowed her to combine two passions: driving and interacting with people while maintaining financial stability and flexible working hours.

How long have you been driving for Bolt, and what made you choose this job?

I am a mother of four and spent years devoted to my family, putting my career on hold. I was constantly driving my children to school, extracurricular activities, and various obligations, making a traditional job impossible.

When Bolt became available, I started considering taxi driving as a profession. Once my children grew older, I decided to give it a try. Initially, I didn’t know what to expect, but now, three years later, I can confidently say it was the right decision.

What are the biggest advantages of taxi driving?

The greatest advantage is flexibility—I set my own working hours and can adapt them to my family’s needs. Although I work full-time, I decide when to take breaks and how long I drive, allowing me to balance my personal and professional life.

I also love driving and socialising, and I find it fascinating that passengers often share their stories with me, making each ride unique. Financially, my earnings are competitive, which is crucial for supporting my large family.

How do passengers react to having a female driver?

The reactions are overwhelmingly positive! Women, in particular, are thrilled to see a female driver. Many of them, especially when returning home late at night, call me through the Bolt app to ensure I will pick them up and not cancel the ride.

While I would never cancel a ride, their calls highlight how much safer they feel with a female driver. It’s rewarding to provide that extra sense of security.

When do you prefer to drive?

I drive at various times, but I particularly enjoy night shifts on Fridays and Saturdays. The city is vibrant, and traffic is lighter, making the experience more enjoyable.

My passengers vary—mornings are often filled with commuters and students running late for school due to public transport delays. Afternoons are busy with parents booking rides for their children’s extracurricular activities, and in the evenings, tired passengers just want to get home quickly.

Weekend nights bring the most diverse group, ranging from young adults in their 20s to older generations who still know how to enjoy life and have fun.

Do you feel safe driving at night on weekends?

Absolutely. I meet many interesting people, and most passengers are respectful. Women are always pleasant, and even groups of young men often remind each other, ‘Be polite, our driver is a lady!’ There is a strong sense of respect.

Some passengers also request music—weekends usually bring requests for folk music, but I personally prefer playing Balašević, which always receives positive reactions.

Arjana loves the flexibility 

What other services do you offer through the app, and what are your experiences?

I also offer Bolt Pets and Bolt Send services, both of which come with unique stories. Many pet owners prefer Bolt Pets because their furry companions are nervous about public transport but feel at ease in a taxi.

Some book rides to take their pets to the vet, while others opt for a taxi after long walks to avoid the return journey on foot. Pet-friendly office culture is also growing, so I have many clients who take their small dogs to work.

Bolt Send is equally popular—people often use it to send forgotten keys. Instead of returning home, family members send the keys via taxi. One amusing incident involved a mother sending pancake ingredients to her daughter via Bolt Send because the shops had already closed!

Driving for Bolt has provided Arjana not only with financial stability but also with the freedom to set her own schedule and do a job she enjoys. Her story is an inspiration to women who feel restricted by societal expectations. Through her hard work and determination, she is opening doors for others to see ride-hailing as a viable career path.

As she navigates the streets of her city, she proudly breaks barriers and inspires the next generation of female drivers.