Amendments to taxi regulation sent out for comments – aiming for safer taxi rides

The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the draft government proposal that includes amendments to the taxi regulation in the Act on Transport Services and certain other acts. The deadline for submitting comments is 6 June 2025. The legislative amendments should enter into force in stages from 1 January 2026 onwards.

"Our aim is to bring back safe taxi rides. We're working hard to restore trust in the taxi services sector. We will ensure that the rules are the same for everyone and that all passengers can travel safely by taxi,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

Towards safer and fairer taxi services

The draft proposal aims to improve drivers' professional skills, reinforce control and prevent abuse. The conditions for granting taxi transport licences would be tightened, and training and the supervision of tests improved. New taxi drivers would be expected to attend 21 hours of training. Those already working in the sector would need to complete 7 hours of continuing professional education when renewing their taxi driving licence. The continuing education requirement would be in place for a fixed term.

Controlling and identifying taxis would be made easier. According to the draft amendments, taxi licence holders would need to register the ownership or possession of their vehicles serving as taxis and link the vehicles to their taxi transport licence in the register. The registration number plates for taxis would have a specific colour. The public would have access to the licence holder details linked to the vehicle registration number.

All taxis would need to have a taximeter for collecting the data to control the taxi services. Not only the taxi transport licence holders but also drivers would be required to provide information on the pricing of taxi rides. The draft also specifies the sanctions for violating the regulation.

Government Programme outlines the taxi reform

The decision on the legislative project on taxi services was included in the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government. The project's objectives are to strengthen consumer confidence in taxi services, promote the availability of taxis, take into account different customer groups throughout the country, make the control of taxi services more efficient, and tackle the shadow economy.

A memorandum assessing the needs to amend the taxi regulation was sent out for stakeholder comments in spring 2024. The memorandum reviewed the current state of the taxi services sector and proposed amendments. The draft government proposal, now circulated for comments, is based on the measures proposed in the memorandum.

What’s next?

Private individuals and organisations are invited to submit comments on the draft government proposal at lausuntopalvelu.fi. The deadline for submitting comments is 6 June 2025.

Public officials will continue the law drafting after the consultation round. The government proposal should be submitted to Parliament in September 2025. The act would enter into force in stages from the beginning of 2026.

Inquiries:

Requests to interview Minister Lulu Ranne:
Tuomas Sorsa, Special Adviser, tuomas.sorsa(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 012

Taxi regulation:
Sissi Kohtala, Senior Specialist, sissi.kohtala(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 208