TMV calls on politicians to take action – and warns of the consequences of a deregulated market

The recipients: Health Minister Sabine Bas, Family Minister Anne Reiche, Economy Minister Lars Klingbeil, and Transport Minister Oliver Schnieder. The message: The state must focus more on its regulatory responsibility—at both the federal and European levels.

Illegal Structures in the Capital

The reason for the letter is serious. In Berlin alone, around 1,700 rental vehicles operate without proper authorization. The TMV rightly suspects a broad spectrum of illegal practices behind this—from tax evasion and undeclared work to social dumping. The latest raids and prosecutorial investigations in several cities are seen by the association as evidence of a systemic imbalance.

“What is happening on German roads is no minor offense,” according to association circles.

Rather, it is an expression of a market in which law-abiding companies are increasingly falling behind – not due to a lack of demand, but due to a lack of control.

"Today, the Taxi and Rental Car Association is presenting the urgent letter from the Taxi and Rental Car Association of Germany to the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, as well as to the Ministers of Transport and Finance before the capital press in Berlin," declare TMV President Thomas Kroker and TMV Chief Executive Patrick Meinhardt. "In view of the 1700 illegal rental cars in Berlin and the criminal investigations in several German cities into wage dumping, tax evasion, and illegal work, the TMV is also demanding a legislative initiative to strengthen the social market economy and combat unfair competition in Germany and Europe." 

Three Demands, One Goal

The TMV specifically proposes three political measures:

First, a nationwide legislative initiative to strengthen the social market economy in the taxi and rental car industry. In this context, the association speaks of "predatory capitalists" endangering proven structures in the middle class. The existing control mechanisms are insufficient - also because authorities lack personnel and enforcement rights.

Secondly, the TMV urges for clear national political guidelines in implementing minimum transport fees for rental cars. Although the legislature introduced an opening clause in 2021, concrete implementations have largely been missing. The fear of legal disputes hinders many municipalities, it is said. "The municipalities are left alone with this issue," says TMV Chief Executive Patrick Meinhardt. The association demands legally secure guidelines and political support.

Third, the TMV appeals to the federal government to advocate more strongly in Brussels for fair competition rules on platform markets. According to the association, there is still a significant regulatory gap in the EU. Especially platform-based providers operate in many countries outside of existing supervisory structures. A "clear legal basis" is necessary to establish uniform rules across Europe.