Starting a taxi in Flanders

What is required to run a taxi business in Flanders?

To operate a taxi in Flanders you need an individual paid passenger transport licence, plus a driver pass for every driver. Your vehicle must be inspected, insured and meet the environmental standards. Every ride is sent to Chiron, the Flemish government's central ride database, in real time. Below is the full checklist, step by step.

See the checklist Start with TaxiBuddy

The requirements

Everything you need in place

These are the things every taxi operator in Flanders has to arrange. Some details vary by municipality, so always check with your own as well.

Individual paid passenger transport licence (IBP)
You apply for this licence at the municipality where your business is registered.
Driver pass for every driver
Every driver who works needs a valid driver pass, including you as the owner.
Suitable, inspected vehicle
Your car must pass inspection and carry the right markings, such as the T-plate.
Insurance for paid transport
An ordinary car policy is not enough. You need cover for paid passenger transport.
Chiron connection
You send every ride to Chiron, the Flemish government's central ride database, in real time.
Ecoscore and environmental standards
Your vehicles must meet the environmental standards, which tighten towards 2025 and 2030.
Tariffs and transport receipt
Your tariffs are clear and the customer gets a proper transport receipt for every ride.
Accounting, duty sheets and invoicing
You keep rides, shifts and invoices in order. From 2026 invoicing runs through Peppol.

Step by step

Get compliant in four steps

From registration to your first logged ride.

Register your business
Make sure your company is in the Crossroads Bank with the right activity and gather your documents.
Apply for your licence
Submit your IBP licence application to your municipality and arrange the driver pass.
Get your vehicle ready
Inspection, markings, insurance and ecoscore: make your car fully compliant.
Connect to Chiron
Link your operation to Chiron. With TaxiBuddy every ride is sent automatically, no manual work.

Read on

Go deeper into the details

Frequently asked questions

Questions about taxi rules in Flanders

You need an individual paid passenger transport licence, a driver pass per driver, an inspected and insured vehicle that meets the environmental standards, and a live connection to Chiron. You apply for the licence at your municipality.

It depends on your situation and your municipality. For ride registration to Chiron an app is often enough. Check the equipment requirements with your municipality before you invest.

Chiron is the Flemish government's central ride database. You send every ride at start and end, in real time. TaxiBuddy does this automatically for you.

The municipality where your business is registered. Municipalities process applications through the Flemish government's Centaurus2020 system.

Taxi offences are usually handled with an on-the-spot fine, between €100 and €500 per offence. Operating without a licence is more serious: it goes to the police court, with a fine of €500 to €10,000 and possible imprisonment.