Government proposes amendments to taxi regulation

On 26 February 2026, the Government submitted to Parliament a legislative proposal to amend taxi regulation. The changes would be made to the Act on Transport Services and certain other acts.

“This repair kit for our taxi law is something Finland truly needs. We are restoring safer taxi services for everyone and improving trust in the sector by tightening entry requirements and oversight. Drivers will better meet our high standards of conduct and receive more rigorous training, oversight will be more effective and taxis will be easier to identify,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

More training and more effective control

The amendments aim to improve drivers' professional skills, reinforce control and prevent abuse. The requirements for obtaining a taxi transport licence would be tightened. A person’s good repute, which is required for the licence, would also be considered compromised if they have been convicted of offences against life or health, sexual offences, or fraud‑related or payment‑instrument offences. Additional grounds for refusing a taxi driver’s licence would include certain offences against personal liberty, tax fraud, fraud, payment‑instrument offences and firearms offences.

Training requirements and the supervision of tests would be 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 driver’s licence. The continuing education requirement would be in place for a fixed term.

Controlling and identifying taxis would be made easier. Taxi transport licence holders would have to register the vehicles they own or operate as taxis and link each vehicle to their licence in the register. Taxis would have new number plates in a distinctive 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.

What’s next?

Parliament will first hold a referral debate on the government proposal in a plenary session. The proposal will then proceed to a committee reading. Following the committee report, the debate will continue in a plenary session.

The amendments would enter into force gradually. The first amendments are expected to take effect in September 2026.

Inquiries:

Requests for interviews with Minister Ranne:
Markus Liesegang, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 042, [email protected]

Taxi regulation:
Sissi Kohtala, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 208, [email protected]