Cab topics (general)

With the new decision, the nationwide debate on professional qualifications ends. The TMV sees opportunities for flexible solutions, but calls for clear procedures, short routes, and the preservation of proven training models in rural areas.

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.

A Cologne taxi company has prevailed in court: Uber's app violates central regulations for rental cars, according to the Regional Court. The company intends to appeal – the decision is not yet legally binding.

The proverbial view beyond the edge of the plate can lead to interesting discoveries, whether trends, innovations, problem solving, or current developments, which can also provide impulses here at home, or simply to look over the shoulders of foreign colleagues: a snapshot or press review of the Italian taxi industry.

More and more ride-hailing platforms are pushing into cities such as Mainz and Trier. The MOLO association thus sees taxi companies, rental-car operators and public transport as being threatened – and calls for minimum prices as well as stricter controls.

(dpa) Uber is serious about the plan to become the platform for robotaxis from various manufacturers. In cooperation with the chip giant Nvidia, there is talk of 100,000 self-driving cars — someday.

Together with the Bern University of Applied Sciences, an autonomous shuttle is being developed that will better open up the rural areas and, specifically for older people, serve as a public alternative to owning a car.

In Austria, the system of passenger transport was fundamentally reorganized five years ago. With the introduction of the so-called unitary trade, the legislator ended the long coexistence of taxi and hire-car trades.

At Oslo Airport, travelers no longer enter their destinations into the app, but into a terminal in the arrivals area. A few minutes later, the taxi is at your door—with a fixed fare, the desired features, and, if requested, also with a child seat or an electric drive. The system that enables this smooth handling comes from the Norwegian start-up Fast Travel and could serve as a model for German airports.

The TMV's chief executive, Patrick Meinhardt, is seeking direct contact with policymakers. He then met in Berlin with Dietmar Nietan, the SPD's federal treasurer and long-serving member of the Bundestag. The discussion focused on the future of the passenger transport industry, the role of taxis in public local transport, and political backing for the SME sector.

At Taxi München eG there is again a personnel shake-up. Executive board member Patrick Nothhaft, who has been in office since the end of 2023, has announced his resignation effective 31 October 2025. The 30-year-old Munich taxi entrepreneur attributes his move to deep tensions between the executive board and the supervisory board.

The proverbial view beyond the plate can lead to interesting discoveries, whether trends, innovations, problem-solving, or current developments that can also provide impulses here at home, or simply to look over the shoulders of foreign colleagues: a snapshot or press roundup of the Spanish taxi industry.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Car Transport calls for nationwide minimum prices for rental cars and stricter oversight of platform providers such as Uber. A lack of regulation could, according to BVTM, weaken not only taxis but also public transport.

In his eulogy, TMV chief executive Patrick Meinhardt Müller’s clear stance and his tireless commitment were emphasized. Even during his illness, the association's founder remained active and, with his ideas, shaped the TMV's work until the very end.

With "AmiGo", PostAuto will begin testing automated, electric, on-demand vehicles from 2025. The concept resembles taxi- and ride-pooling services—but is part of public transport. For the industry, the project could serve as a test case for future mobility services.

Anyone tapping on a screen in the car risks a fine – even if it is not a mobile phone. This was clarified by the Higher Regional Court of Cologne in a ruling dated September 25, 2025 (case no. III-1 ORbs 139/25). The judges ruled: The operation of an e-cigarette with a touchscreen also falls under the mobile phone ban.

Many manufacturers have withdrawn from the segment of large sedans—not so Volvo. The Swedes master the difficult balancing act and combine electric drive, the upper class, and a touch of the luxury segment with the ES90.

Since Uber started in Kiel, pressure on taxi companies has grown. The association talks about systematic rule violations and calls for stricter checks as well as a minimum fare for rental cars. The city is now examining possible measures.

In Zurich this morning, hundreds of Uber platform drivers gathered for a protest — they are putting pressure because the conditions, in their view, are no longer bearable. The focus is on falling prices, rising costs, and increasing competitive pressure. Doesn't that sound familiar to taxi drivers?

Although Mercedes has officially withdrawn from the taxi market – it is said to be 'not premium enough', according to Mercedes CEO Ole Källenius – many taxi drivers do not want to give up their E-Class. Good that Intax from Oldenburg can supply there. Now the T-model with a glass roof can also be converted into a taxi.

The FC Barcelona is about to announce a new partnership – and is encountering unexpected resistance. On October 22, the club's collaboration with the US ride-hailing provider Uber is to be officially announced. But already a protest is forming: Barcelona's taxi drivers, led by the Elite Taxi union, are announcing strikes and demonstrations.

The Kempten Taxi Dispatch Center is partnering with Freenow by Lyft with immediate effect. This will enable passengers in the Allgäu to order a taxi, pay for it, and track it via the Freenow app.

The proverbial look beyond the horizon can lead to interesting discoveries, whether trends, innovations, solutions to problems, or current developments that can also provide impulses here at home, or simply to look over the shoulders of foreign colleagues: a snapshot or press roundup of the French taxi industry.

A social-media prank disrupted Waymo's autonomous vehicle fleet. Dozens of taxis drove into a dead end at the same time — deliberately ordered by a user who dubbed it the 'first DDoS attack on Waymo.' The company responded promptly with a ban.

“Sobering” – that could describe the evening. Three members of parliament from the CDU, SPD and the Greens posed questions to BVTM Managing Director Michael Oppermann and BVTM President Herwig Kollar at the VW Drive in Berlin. A hopeful outlook for the taxi industry did not materialize.

A fixed fare instead of variable taxi tariffs: Freenow by Lyft enables binding prices within a defined price corridor in Salzburg for the first time. The model is intended to bring benefits to both passengers and drivers.

This coming Thursday, October 23, there will be a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in many taxi and rental-car businesses. The Taxi and Rental Car Association Germany (TMV) is calling for a nationwide minute of remembrance for its late honorary president Michael Müller.

Toyota already has two compact mid-size crossovers on the market with the C-HR and bZ4x. Now, with the C-HR+, an electric version is added. That also means for the taxi operator: plenty of choice among the Japanese in an important segment.

Winter is approaching – and with it snow, ice and slippery conditions. The GTÜ Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung draws drivers' attention to the mandatory winter tire requirement and the most important safety rules. Those who prepare properly now will not only be legally on the safe side, but above all will be safe on the road.

The test is intended to determine how passengers, taxi drivers and platforms respond to price signals. Since February 1, 2025, pre-booked taxi rides in the Hanseatic City can be offered at a fixed price; the new model is meant to create transparency, but has so far only been adopted hesitantly. Against this backdrop, the city is now launching a pilot with price corridors to bring more flexibility to the market.

After years of discussion, the removal of the controversial “Kleinen Fachkunde” is imminent. Associations and ministries are preparing the next steps to end the bureaucratic regulation and instead focus on practical quality assurance.

The Vienna taxi dispatch center Taxi 40100 wants to shake up the public image of how to order a taxi a little. Since the beginning of the year, rides can be booked not only by phone or via the app, but also directly via WhatsApp.

With clear positions and great commitment, Michael Müller shaped the German taxi trade for decades. As president of BVTM and TMV, he set important impulses for modernization, networking, and the political visibility of the industry.

Today that issue has formally died, after years of straining the nerves of many taxi operators, drivers and associations: The federal government and the states have agreed on abolishing the so-called “Small Qualification.” The BVTM explicitly regrets this decision in a brief press release.

If in the future someone in Riyadh steps off the plane and the car—already booked in the same digital account—is waiting at the door, then that is no longer a vision of the future, but part of a strategic plan. The new Saudi airline Riyadh Air and Uber recently announced a long-term partnership that aims to achieve exactly that: a seamless, integrated journey from departure to destination.

The taxi and rental-car association criticizes the lack of results from the latest automotive summit. It demands stable funding conditions for alternative powertrains and an end to the combustion-engine phase-out in order to strengthen planning certainty and innovation capacity in the SME sector.

The proverbial look beyond one's own horizon can lead to interesting discoveries, whether it's trends, innovations, problem-solving or current developments that can also provide impulses here at home, or simply to look over the shoulder of foreign colleagues: a snapshot or press roundup of the English taxi industry.

The taxi and rental-car associations warn of distortions of competition caused by dumping prices and violations of the law in the rental-car sector. Without minimum fares, Wuppertal risks becoming a fallback region for providers from Essen, where fixed prices will apply from 2026.

Technology companies such as Waymo and Tesla are pushing the robotaxi business forward. While in metropolitan areas the first driverless vehicles are on the road, the traditional taxi industry faces growing competitive pressure and open regulatory questions.

(dpa / kk) For many taxi drivers, the smartphone is part of daily work – navigation, bookings, and communication with the dispatch center or the customer often go through the phone. But exactly that can quickly become dangerous in road traffic: Whoever looks briefly at the display risks fines, points on their record – and in the worst case an accident. Therefore the police are paying particular attention this week.

At the end of August, in Hagen, around 100 representatives from licensing authorities of various districts in North Rhine-Westphalia met for the joint information event of VSPV and FPN. And under the title "Bus-Taxi Rental Cars: Shaping Future Mobility Together!?" the VSPV had invited experts from administration, transport companies, and licensing authorities to Dortmund in early September.

Tires are not all the same – not even for an electric car, because electric vehicles in particular have special requirements for materials and construction, so that the drivetrain can be showcased accordingly.

As of January 1, 2026, a longer transition period for the taxi industry in Germany will end: taximeters and distance counters may then only be operated if their electronic recording systems are protected by a certified Technical Security Equipment (TSE). The amendment is part of the Cash Register Security Regulation (KassenSichV) and aims to prevent manipulations of records and to securely store tax-relevant transactions.

The taxi and rental-car industry is investing in climate-friendly drivetrains – but a lack of planning certainty endangers progress. The association calls on the federal government to set binding guidelines and a reliable funding and tax policy.

In the historic Stadthalle, around 210 professionals from politics, transport companies, security authorities, and civil society recently gathered for the ÖPNV Security Congress NRW 2025. Under the motto “360°: Safety in view – subjective perception, objective responsibility,” they discussed how safety in public transport (ÖPNV) can be strengthened – also with a view to passengers' trust.

Uber and Lyft drivers in California will be allowed to unionize and bargain collectively over their working conditions. This is made possible by a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. A 'deal' with consequences.

At the conclusion of the federal government's cabinet retreat, where once again a 'modernization agenda' and deregulation were invoked, the Federal Association of Taxi and Hire Cars e.V. (BVTM) issues an urgent appeal to Economics Minister Dr. Reiche: Instead of continuing to talk about deregulation, the government should finally act—and begin with a simple measure: the overdue extension of the calibration deadline for taximeters.

Still, it is purely a formality, but the result is likely to bring noticeable relief to many drivers in Northern Europe: Finland and Norway want to allow cross-border taxi traffic. A corresponding agreement is in place, and the necessary amendment to Finnish law is expected to be approved before Christmas. Why is that possible elsewhere yet?

(dpa / kk) For many taxi operators, the economic viability of their fleets plays a decisive role – especially when transitioning to electric mobility. Now there is tailwind from Berlin: The federal government intends to extend the vehicle tax exemption for electric vehicles until 2035. That is also an important signal for the taxi industry. Because those who opt for an electric taxi in the coming years can continue to benefit from a substantial tax relief.

How can taxis be more strongly integrated into rural local transport? What rules are needed for fair competition with platform providers? These questions were the focus of the discussion between TMV and CSU politician Alexander Hoffmann.

The proverbial look beyond one's own horizon can lead to interesting discoveries, whether it's trends, innovations, problem-solving, or current developments that can also provide impulses here at home, or simply a peek over a Polish colleague's shoulder:  a short news overview or press roundup of the Polish taxi industry.

The CDU Economic Council proposes in a current position paper to no longer have the statutory health insurance (GKV) cover travel costs for medical treatments. This measure is intended to contribute to reducing healthcare expenditures. However, critics fear that, in particular, people with low incomes or in rural areas could be disadvantaged.

Until the end of 2025, a transitional regulation applies; afterwards, clear requirements apply. Businesses must report devices within one month of installation or decommissioning – including license plate numbers.

In Germany it is mandatory that every car carries certain emergency equipment: a first-aid kit, a warning triangle and a high-visibility vest. This equipment is designed to help you respond quickly in the event of a breakdown or an accident.

Whoever calls a taxi rarely thinks about the driver. That also applies when a dog is to ride along. For passengers it is taken for granted to bring along the four-legged companion. But for drivers it means additional responsibility, sometimes trouble, and not infrequently open questions.

Anyone who calls a taxi in Hamburg rarely expects to step into the middle of a performance. But that is exactly what happened in early June 2025 if you were along for “Taxi Darko.” The project by actress and performer Zandile Darko turned a one-hour ride through the city into a blend of audio drama, documentary, and conversation – and into an unusual form of theater.

Bolt, the platform operator for rental car and ride-hailing services, is renewing the fleet of its car-sharing service Bolt Drive in Germany. By the end of October, 400 vehicles are to be put into service gradually—350 Toyota Yaris and 50 Toyota Yaris Cross. All cars are equipped with hybrid powertrains and will be leased to Bolt for two years through the Toyota mobility provider KINTO.

"Death of the taxi industry because of Uber? Hardly!" — that's how it was titled in the ImPuls column series by journalist Minh Thu Tran. The managing director of the Association of Private Commercial Road Passenger Transport in North Rhine-Westphalia e.V. (VSPV), Sascha Waltemate, could not let that stand and "took to the keyboard." Here is his polished and detailed rebuttal.