A little expertise before the comeback: States will decide for themselves going forward.

After months of debate, the Conference of Transport Ministers drops the uniform solution. The introduction of a small professional qualification is now in the hands of the states – a step with consequences for drivers, testing organizations and associations.

In the future, the federal states will decide for themselves whether to introduce a basic professional qualification for taxi- and rental-car drivers — Berlin and Hamburg want to lead the way. | Stock image: AI-generated
In the future, the federal states will decide for themselves whether to introduce a basic professional qualification for taxi- and rental-car drivers — Berlin and Hamburg want to lead the way. | Stock image: AI-generated

The Conference of Transport Ministers (VMK) of the 16 federal states, together with the Federal Minister of Transport, has decided on a surprising turn in the discussion about the so-called Kleine Fachkunde for taxi- and rental-car drivers. Going forward, the states themselves can decide whether they want to introduce a corresponding qualification requirement for applicants for a passenger transport license. There will be no nationwide uniform regulation.

From mandatory to optional

Thus, from the originally planned nationwide introduction, what is called an optional rule. Each state can, but does not have to, introduce a Kleine Fachkunde. The decision was unanimous. The basis was a compromise proposal from the city-states Berlin and Hamburg, which had already expressed support in favor of a mandatory introduction.

Background: The working group initially rejected introduction

Just three weeks ago, a working group of the states had rejected the Kleine Fachkunde. The reasons cited were too high a bureaucratic burden and the lack of support within the taxi trade. However, this recommendation was not binding, but merely a proposal for the final decision of the Conference of Transport Ministers.

Berlin and Hamburg plan mandatory introduction

Berlin and Hamburg want to use the new state-level competence promptly and introduce the Small Professional Knowledge as mandatory. According to internal sources, the content requirements for the examination are already in place. Discussions with the testing organizations TÜV and DEKRA are currently to be held regarding the concrete implementation.

Amendment to the Driver's License Ordinance required

A change to the Driver's License Ordinance is a prerequisite for the introduction. This should give the states the legal possibility to establish their own regulations for the Small Professional Knowledge. Only then can the states issue corresponding regulations.

Different requirements in cities and rural areas

The optional provision should allow the states to respond to regional differences in the passenger transport market. While large cities such as Berlin or Hamburg require a higher qualification standard, rural regions have different framework conditions. A uniform rule based on population size was rejected by the states.

Further elaboration pending

For large-area states such as Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, or Hesse, the task now is to develop models that adequately address both urban and rural circumstances. The industry associations BVTM and TMV should also be involved in order to achieve a uniform position of the taxi trade.

Conclusion

With the decision of the Conference of Transport Ministers, the decision to introduce a Small Professional Qualification (Kleine Fachkunde) is transferred to the state level. While Berlin and Hamburg plan mandatory implementation, in other federal states it remains to be seen whether and in what form the qualification will be introduced.

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