Taxi transport services

I would like to drive a taxi, what conditions do I have to meet, what documents do I need?
Taxi services may be provided by a person licenced to provide such services and authorized to operate within a certain city/municipality.

What is the procedure for obtaining a licence?
Licence for providing taxi services are issued by the competent authority (state administration office) in the county of residence of the transport operator or in the Zagreb City. Licence is issued to the natural person (tradesperson) or legal person meeting following requirements:
-     good reputation,
-     financial standing,
-     professional competence,
-     technical capacity,
-     no tax debt or debts related to health or pension insurance.
-     has the place of establishment or residence or seat in the Republic of Croatia.

How can I obtain an authorization?
Authorization is issued by a competent transport department in the local self-government unit or the Zagreb City and is subject to possession of a licence for providing taxi services in national road transport.

Where can I provide taxi services?
Transport operators providing taxi services may provide such services only within the local self-government unit or the Zagreb City for which he/she has been issued an authorization. Taxi services may be provided by a person with minimum 21 years of age.

What is the cost of an authorization?
Maximum cost of an authorization cannot be higher than  average net amount of  the monthly salary in the local self-government unit or the Zagreb City in the last month for which the data  were published, preceding submission of the request.

May I obtain an authorization for several local self-government units if I meet all legal requirements?
YES! What’s more, a local self-government unit cannot limit the number of permits issued for that area.

What does it mean that a taxi operator has to keep a register of vehicles?
That means a taxi operator has to keep the register of all vehicles used for providing taxi transport services and to report on all changes  in this register to the licencing authority within eight days from the day on which a change has occurred or the day of issue of the licence. *Passenger vehicles of M1 category used for provision of taxi transport services are not subject to checking conformity with special requirements at technical inspection stations or to issue of an attestation of meeting special requirements for vehicles. Conformity with special requirements for taxi vehicles is confirmed by authorities responsible for supervision when performing a check."

What is the time limit for obtaining of an authorization?
The competent authority shall take a decision with respect to a request within 15 days from the day of submission of the request.

What will I do if a competent authority does not issue an authorization within the 15-day time limit?
In that case an appeal may be lodged with the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (hereinafter, “the Ministry”), which will take the decision within next 15 days.

Which documents am I to supply to the Ministry in order to obtain an authorization?
-     appeal (including contact details);
-     a copy of the valid licence for taxi transport;
-     a copy of the request submitted to the competent authority of the local self-government unit or the Zagreb City which failed to take a decision  within the 15-day time limit;
-     evidence of payment of the administrative fee of 35,00 HRK, pursuant to the Ordinance on administrative tariff (“Official Gazette” No. 8/17). The appeal with supporting documents is to be sent by mail of handed over personally in the Ministry registry office.

How does one set the price of a taxi transport service?
The tariff for taxi transport services is set by a transport operator and includes minimum price per km covered.

May a taxi transport service be provided only using a taximeter?
A taxi transport service may be provided using a taximeter or an electronic application. If a transport operator provided a taxi transport service using a taximeter, the taximeter has to be turned on and there has to be a price list on the prominent position in the vehicle. If a transport operator provides the service using an application, it has to be active during the service and showing the maximum price and planned route of the service.

Which documents have to be on board the vehicle during the service?
1.) copy of licence for providing taxi transport services;
2.) copy of authorization;
3.) evidence of professional competence.

What is meant by “professional competence”?
Drivers providing taxi transport services must have an initial qualification for a B category driver, including a theory exam proving knowledge of traffic regulations. *Drivers providing taxi transport services do not have to attend periodic training.".

Are there any cases where a driver does not have to obtain initial qualification?
Exemptions from the obligation to obtain an initial qualification are determined by law and include:
a) drivers possessing driving licence of categories D1, D1E, D or DE or a driving licence recognized as equivalent, issued before 10 September 2008;
b) drivers possessing driving licence of categories C1, C1E, C or CE or a driving licence recognized as equivalent, issued before 10 September 2009;
c) drivers possessing a certificate of secondary education for the profession of “driver of a motor vehicle”, issued before 1 July 2913, and
d) drivers possessing an appropriate  initial qualification  pursuant to the provisions of the Road Transport Act (“Official Gazette” No. 82/13). *Article 26 of the Ordinance on initial and periodic training of drivers (“Official Gazette” No. 50/18) additionally clarifies Article 7 (5) (c) of the Act, stating that persons having secondary education for the profession of driver of a motor vehicle or persons who will obtain such education under special provisions, are exempted from obtaining initial qualification for driving a taxi vehicle or vehicle hired with a driver and may perform such activities subject to a certificate on the completed  secondary education for the profession on “driver of motor vehicle.”.

What is the maximum age of a vehicle used for providing taxi transport services?
- currently, maximum age of the vehicle is seven years. As from 1 January 2022, the maximum age will be 5 years.*
*Passenger cars of M1 category used for providing taxi transport services in the moment of entry into force of the Road Transport Act (“Official Gazette” No. 41/18 and 98/19) or passenger cars having a valid excerpt from the licence to provide taxi transport services five years after entry into force of the Ordinance on special requirements for vehicles used for road transport for hire or reward or own-account transport (Official Gazette.. - No.  50/18, 56/19 and 107/20).".

What are the requirements a vehicle used for providing taxi transport services should meet?
-     having an installed taximeter of the approved type, certified and placed in such a way as to be visible to the customer, except in cases where the price of the transport service provided is calculated using an electronic application;
-     having a price list of taxi transport services, placed  in such a way as to be visible to the customer, except in cases where the price of the transport service provided is calculated using an electronic application;
-     having a “TAXI” sign on the top of the vehicle;
-     having at least four side doors or three side doors, whereby the second door is located on the right side of the vehicle;
-     having an installed air conditioner in the working condition;
-     having an installed anti-block system;
-     having an installed third braking light;
-     having an installed rear fog light;
-     having installed airbags at least at front two seats;
-     having an installed device for simultaneous activation of all direction indicators;
-     having at least a TAXI indication on sides of the vehicle, including the name  of transport operator (tradesperson or company), in letters of at least 30 mm;
-     having installed safety belts at all seats, and
-     having installed head rests at all seats.

Regulations governing taxi transport services?
-     Road Transport Act (“Official Gazette” No. 41/18 and 98/19);
-     Ordinance on special requirements for vehicles  used for road transport for hire or reward or own-account transport (“Official Gazette” No. 50/18, 56/19 and 107/20);
-     Ordinance on initial and periodic training of drivers (“Official Gazette” No. 50/18);
-     Ordinance on licences in road transport (“Official Gazette” No. 50/18).