BVTM - Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars

From November 10 to today, November 12, 2025, the German Taxi and Rental Vehicle Day (DTMT) of the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Vehicles (BVTM) will take place at the Congress Center Messe in Erfurt. For the industry, an occasion to exchange views, to discuss new technical and regulatory developments – and to consider one's own business as it evolves. And last but not least: to elect a new president.

A Swiss survey shows massive burdens and low incomes among Uber drivers. The German Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars e.V. sees an urgent need for action and calls for clear rules as well as minimum prices for platform-based transport.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars warns of ruinous competition through dumping prices by platform providers. It calls on the state government to quickly introduce minimum prices for rental cars in order to create fair conditions in Berlin's passenger transport.

NovaHub and HeyNova are supposed to make planning school and medical transports easier. The new partnership between the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars and Stadt.Land.Netz focuses on practical digitization in passenger transport.

A Swiss survey shows: many Uber drivers work excessively long days and want clear rules. The German industry association sees urgent need for action and calls for minimum prices as well as strict oversight of platform providers.

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.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) invited guests to its Parliamentary Evening for this year last Wednesday at the VW Drive event venue on Unter den Linden. The occasion for a review of four years of the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG) - and a look at the future of the taxi ecosystem.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (BVTM) welcomes the decision of the Essen City Council to introduce binding minimum prices for private hire vehicle journeys from January 1, 2026. This will make Essen the first city with more than 500,000 residents to make use of this new legal option to create fair market conditions in the mobility sector.

In Essen, ride-hailing services will no longer be permitted to be offered below certain fares in the future. The basis is an expert report that highlights major problems concerning drivers’ rights and social standards.

Fixed taxi fares are becoming increasingly widespread in German cities. In addition to Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne, providers such as Freenow and Uber have also introduced similar models. The development is accompanied by debates about the legal framework and tariff corridors.

The Federal Association uses the first meeting with Transport Minister Schnieder to present key industry demands – from flexible mobility in rural areas to more precise regulations for municipalities and driver qualifications.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) publicly presented the TaxiTrainer app during a digital launch event.

(dpa/sn/tk) - In Leipzig, Uber and other rental car providers had to raise their prices at short notice. But then there was a reversal. What is the current status?

In the debate about fair competition in passenger transport, the university city is drawing a clear line: As the first major city in Germany, Heidelberg is introducing binding minimum tariffs for rental car providers like Uber.

It was supposed to be a milestone – but it has mainly become an omission. Four years after the amendment of the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG) came into force, the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) expresses disappointment.

The taxi industry is struggling with the consequences of the reform. The rides arranged by taxi centers have decreased by a quarter over the last two years. It's high time to take stock, according to the BVTM – and they are inviting everyone to an online meeting.

Shortly before the planned city council decision, the SPD faction unexpectedly pulls the emergency brake – much to the annoyance of taxi companies. Instead of clear rules for all transport services, Munich is now opting for individual agreements with rental car providers.

Uber's business model is under criticism: An expert report reveals that without platform subsidies, economic operation is not possible. At the same time, taxi companies are coming under existential pressure due to the unequal competition.

According to the taxi association, Uber drivers in Munich have to work over eleven hours to earn the minimum wage. Investigations by authorities reveal massive violations. The city is now taking action – and could force the ride-hailing service to make changes.

Munich is at a turning point. At the end of the month, the city council will vote on whether ride-hailing platforms like Uber should adhere to minimum prices in the future. Michael Oppermann from BVTM speaks of a "pioneering decision."

Deutsche Bahn is serious about digitization: For rail customers, this means a fully digital voucher system starting in 2026. Taxi companies and billing centers will also benefit from more efficient processes and simplified handling.

While the Bundestag goes into the parliamentary summer break, the German Taxi and Rental Car Association (BVTM) remains politically active. A conversation about transport policy, urban reality – and quiet construction sites in the Berlin government operations.

At the Parliamentary Taxi Evening in Berlin, the future of passenger transport law is at the forefront. Policy experts from four parliamentary groups and the Federal Taxi Association analyze current regulations and possible need for reform.

The Games in Los Angeles are relying on the ride-hailing service Uber in 2028. Criticism is not only coming from Germany—and raises questions about the Olympic values.

Uber Health wants to take off in Germany and ignites another debate on digitalization, responsibility, and human closeness. BVTM Chief Executive Officer Michael Oppermann warns of "dumping mobility" in healthcare.

The city is responding to the increasing price competition from platform providers like Uber. In the future, clear price floors for rental cars will apply in Heidelberg – violations are considered administrative offenses. The decision is attracting nationwide attention.

Media attention alone is not enough for the association: Now actions must follow. The industry demands binding minimum prices to secure the taxi business as part of public services and to establish fair market conditions.

In over a dozen cities, the taxi industry demonstrated today for minimum prices and against social dumping by Uber & Co. Around 4,000 drivers nationwide participated in the National Day of Action.

Yesterday, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, hundreds of taxi drivers gathered in Frankfurt to loudly initiate the National Day of Protest. The BVTM even reported over 600 participating vehicles and around 1,200 taxi drivers who took to the streets. A successful start!

On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, it is expected to get noisy in many German cities – but not just because of engines and horns. The taxi industry is calling for nationwide protests. Demonstrations and motorcades are planned in at least 14 cities, including Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. The goal: to draw attention to an industry that feels increasingly cornered by the competition of large platform providers.

The Federal Association of Taxi warns about platform-based rental cars moving to smaller cities and calls for political measures. Electrification and rural areas are also the focus of criticism.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) is going on the offensive. In an open letter to Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas, and SPD parliamentary group leader Dr. Matthias Miersch, the association, together with ten other industry representatives, demands that political influence on the minimum wage commission must be refrained from.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars is getting involved on the international stage. In Hamburg, the question arose as to how autonomous vehicles and traditional taxis will complement each other in the future – or displace each other.

It is a fixed date in the calendar of the German Taxi and Rental Car Association: the Volkswagen Group Forum, to which the car manufacturer annually invites its partners and industry representatives. This year too, Vice President Wolfgang Oertel and Managing Director Michael Oppermann traveled to Wolfsburg – for exchange, networking, and with a close eye on the group's model policy.

On Tuesday, July 2, 2025, the taxi industry intends to make a clear statement – with nationwide protest actions under the motto "National Taxi Action Day." The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) is now providing a website where materials for the demonstrations can be downloaded.

The taxi is not just a means of transportation, but increasingly part of a bigger idea: mobility for all – regardless of place of residence or physical conditions. This was the focus of the recent exchange between the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) and SPD Member of Parliament Martin Kröber.

Sometimes jurisprudence is cumbersome – yet consequential. The Federal Social Court (BSG) dealt with a rather everyday occurrence in a ruling on February 20, 2025, which mainly affects taxi and rental car businesses: Who bears the costs when a patient undertakes a medical transport without prior approval from the health insurance company?

Hamburg-Langenhorn, a Tuesday morning in May. Amidst new car paint and charging stations, between political programs and substantial discounts, the who's who of the northern German taxi industry gathers.

The Federal Association of Taxis and Rental Cars (BVTM) addresses the new Federal Minister of Economics with a clear concern. In a factually worded letter, the BVTM congratulates Katherina Reiche on her new role – and takes the moment to point out a regulation that is difficult for the industry to understand: the annual calibration requirement for taximeters.

Health insurance billing, a lack of drivers, and platform providers like Uber are putting pressure on the traditional taxi industry. A visit to Roxheim shows how rural providers are fighting back – and what political solutions are now needed.

A meeting with symbolic significance: On the day of Friedrich Merz's government declaration, representatives of the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) discussed future topics of the industry with CDU transport politician Michael Donth.

The taxi industry is simmering like never before: In cities, the industry is threatened by illegal rental cars and is fighting back, while in rural areas, the introduction of public transport taxis is progressing slowly. Taxis are in the media spotlight.

In the conference room of the Marriott Hotel in Darmstadt, it is quiet as Herwig Kollar takes the microphone. The president of the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) looks into expectant faces. It is the afternoon of May 6th – the public part of the association meeting has begun. Kollar presents a program that outlines the central challenges facing the industry: federal politics, medical transport, platforms, Europe.

While in Berlin the political stage is being set for the election of the new Federal Chancellor, the German Taxi and Rental Car Association (BVTM) meets on May 6 in Darmstadt for the general meeting. A symbolic moment that draws attention to the future of the taxi industry.

"Minimum wage now" with this demand, accompanied by loud protests, over 500 taxi drivers demonstrated in front of the Munich town hall yesterday, Monday, against the price and social dumping by Uber and Bolt in the Bavarian capital.

The German Taxi and Rental Car Association (BVTM) welcomes the swift agreement of CDU, CSU, and SPD on a coalition agreement. The association sees positive signals in e-mobility, calls for improvements in public transport taxis, and urges renewed attention to the PBefG.

The new partnership between the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) and Ballnath Assekuranz ensures special conditions for members on liability and comprehensive insurance.

Strong exchange and clear perspectives – at the meeting of the specialist divisions for taxi and rental car transport of the Rhineland-Palatinate transport associations on April 3, 2025, the future opportunities of the industry were the focus.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) supports the plan of the federal states to start the taxi driver exam this year. The exam should be mandatory for taxi drivers as well as for drivers for platform operators.

The city of Leipzig is introducing minimum prices for ride services like Uber. The city announced this in its electronic official bulletin (Here is the link to the official bulletin of the city of Leipzig) on April 5, 2025. The German Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) expressly welcomes the decision and sees it as a model for other cities in Germany.

The Taxi Auto Zentrale Stuttgart (TAZ) had only decided in January to collaborate with the mobility service provider Freenow. Freenow CEO Alexander Mönch called it a model for other cities in Germany. Now, TAZ Chairman Iordanis Georgiadis has announced the cooperation with the platform operator Uber.

An important change in the TaBeA project, which is relevant for all drivers: From March 31, all train attendants of Deutsche Bahn can issue digital rail taxi vouchers. The issuance can then already take place on the trains and not just at the station.

On Friday, March 28, 2025, the Taxi-Funktaxi-Zentrale e.G. in Duisburg is planning a demonstration in front of the town hall. Between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, the members of the cooperative want to draw attention to what they consider an unfair competitive situation caused by ride service providers like Uber and Bolt and advocate for the introduction of minimum prices.

At the latest meeting of the IRU Taxi Group (International Road Union), which meets biannually, Gregor Beiner, board member of the Federal Association of Taxis and Rental Cars (BVTM), was elected Vice President of the IRU Taxi Group.