Technical safety equipment

The planned reform of the cash-register regulations is intended to make tax evasion more difficult and to improve the traceability of business transactions. In the taxi and rental-car industry, the plan is generally welcomed. But even before the legislative process is completed, a new conflict is looming.

The planned regulations are intended to curb tax fraud. However, the Federal Association of Taxi and Hire Cars sees the danger that platform-mediated transport will be privileged over traditional operators.

The cooperation is intended to enable the affiliated companies to access a digital solution for operational organization, documentation and financial management at reduced costs.

The requirements for taxi and rental-car companies are not getting any lower. Digitization, fiscalization and the increasing networking of vehicle and dispatch system mean that the technical equipment has to do more and more. HALE responds and gives its WSZ-07 odometer a comprehensive update.

The debate on tamper-resistance in the ride-service industry gets a clear timestamp. From January 2027: distance meters, provided they can output digital data, must be equipped with a Technical Security Device (TSE). A small legal amendment to the Cash Register Security Regulation – with tangible consequences for taxi and rental-car businesses.

A short letter to the editor, a sober note – and yet it hits a sore point in the trade. “The Weights and Measures Office has drastically raised the calibration fees from 90 euros to 135 euros. For a ten-minute job,” writes taxi entrepreneur M.K.. What may seem like a pointed, highly specific observation can be substantiated—and contextualized—upon closer inspection.

The Munich KVR will henceforth directly link permits for taxis and rental cars to tax requirements. New documentation requirements, transitional periods, and potential signaling effects for the entire state of Bavaria significantly alter the framework conditions for entrepreneurs.

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.

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.

Outdated systems like INSIKA will soon no longer be permitted. Those who continue to operate without certified TSE risk heavy fines. What to consider when upgrading – and which solutions are suitable for the fleet.

In a surprisingly swift manner, the Federal Ministry of Finance responded to a letter from the Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV). Just nine days after the appeal to extend the Cash Security Ordinance (KassenSichV) to so-called distance meters, the response from State Secretary Rolf Bösinger was on the table – a rare occurrence at the association's headquarters in Berlin. "We are still waiting for the responses from previous ministers," comments TMV Chief Executive Patrick Meinhardt dryly.

The digitalization of operational audits is advancing – and with it, the importance of technical security devices (TSE) in the taxi industry is growing. The Cash Security Regulation (KassenSichV), actually an instrument for combating tax evasion, meanwhile threatens to become a new point of contention between financial policy and the taxi trade.