Car rental market in the Berlin surrounding area: TMV presses for stricter controls

The Taxi and Car Rental Association Germany calls for a provisional stop to further approvals and comprehensive checks of existing operations in light of sharply increased rental-car numbers in the Teltow-Fläming district. According to the association, the number of authorized rental cars rose by 771 within six months to 2,128 vehicles. For comparison, the association cites for Berlin in March 2026 a total of 1,656 registered rental cars.

Thus, the number cited in the original text for Teltow-Fläming, despite the clearly smaller population, is higher than the Berlin figure. While around 3.8 million people live in the capital, the Brandenburg district has about 180,000 inhabitants.

Association sees a shift to the surrounding area The Taxi and Car Rental Association Germany links the development to the increased enforcement pressure in Berlin. The Berlin State Office for Citizens' and Regulatory Affairs has tightened controls and revoked numerous concessions. According to the association, rental-car companies subsequently shifted to Brandenburg's surrounding area.

The association also criticizes that a portion of the vehicles licensed there is not primarily deployed in the district, but returns to the Berlin market. According to the association, the statutory return obligation is being disregarded. This obliges rental cars after the completion of a transport order to return to the operating base, in principle, unless a new order exists.

Criticism of the intensity of inspections

The association supports its criticism, among other things, with a parliamentary inquiry by Brandenburg state parliament member Martina Maxi Schmidt and with a statement by Berlin member of parliament Tino Schopf. According to the Taxi and Rental Car Association Germany, the staffing expansion of the competent licensing authority has not kept pace with the development of the vehicle stock. Inspections of operating processes take place only on a spot-check basis.

From the association's perspective, as the number of approvals issued increases, an authority must ensure that the legal requirements are complied with and effectively monitored.

TMV demands moratorium on approvals and special inspections

As an initial measure, the association calls for a temporary suspension of further rental car approvals in the Teltow-Fläming district. Existing operations should, in its view, be thoroughly checked on site before further approvals are issued.