Flemish taxi jargon, explained

IBP (individual paid passenger transport)

The licence you need to carry paying passengers by car in Flanders. It replaced the old taxi licence and the licence for hire with driver.

Chiron

The Flemish government's central ride database. Every licensed taxi operator sends each ride to it in real time.

Driver pass (bestuurderspas)

The personal document every taxi driver needs in order to drive. You apply for it at the municipality.

IBP licence (vergunning)

The licence in the operator's name to offer taxi services, formerly the operating licence. The municipal college issues it, and it is valid across Flanders.

Stand authorisation (machtiging)

The extra municipal authorisation to use stands on the public road. A rank taxi needs it, on top of the licence.

T-plate

The special number plate for taxis. It starts with a T, followed by a letter group that starts with an X (a T-X plate). A car used only for ceremonial transport can have a T-L plate.

Ecoscore

A score expressing a vehicle's environmental performance. Flanders sets a minimum for taxis: 74 for vehicles registered since 1 January 2025, with lower thresholds for larger vehicles and minibuses.

Transport receipt (vervoerbewijs)

The proof the customer receives for a ride, with the ride details and the fare.

Duty sheet (dienststaat)

The record of a driver's worked shifts and rides. It is needed for accounting and inspections.

Centaurus2020

The Flemish government system municipalities use to manage licences and driver passes.

Street taxi (straattaxi)

One of the four service types. A street taxi is booked in advance, for example via an app, and needs no taxi light or taximeter.

Rank taxi (standplaatstaxi)

A taxi that picks up customers at a stand on the public road. It needs a municipal authorisation, a taxi light and a taximeter.

On-the-spot fine (onmiddellijke inning)

A fine you pay immediately at a check, without going through court. For taxi offences it is usually between €100 and €500 per offence. Operating without a licence goes to the police court instead.

Municipal fee (retributie)

What you pay the municipality for your licence or driver pass. The licence costs a fixed amount per vehicle per year, the driver pass a one-off amount when it is issued. The amounts are set in the Flemish rules and indexed every year. They are the same in every municipality.

This glossary is a general explanation and not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult your municipality or a specialised lawyer.