Business

The taxi market in Ukraine is about to change: what carriers should expect

Ukraine is preparing significant changes in the taxi industry. The government plans to bring this market out of the shadows and introduce a new regulatory system. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Serhiy Derkach, Komersant ukrainskyi reports

Why the taxi market needs to be regulated

Derkach noted that today the taxi industry in Ukraine is mostly operating illegally. According to official data, only about 9,500 drivers have a license for transportation, while the total number of taxi drivers can reach 250,000.

This causes a number of problems:

• Lack of safety guarantees for passengers;
• Unclear technical condition of cars;
• Drivers can work overtime without supervision;
• Lack of tax payments and unified standards of service provision.

What will change

1. Simplification of taxi licensing

Currently, Ukraine has outdated requirements for obtaining a license, which are difficult for self-employed drivers to meet. For example, to obtain a permit, you need to have staff to check the technical condition of the car or a specialist responsible for international transportation.

“You have to admit that a self-employed driver is unlikely to be able to get a taxi license if the requirements include ‘personnel who check the pre-trip and post-trip technical condition’ or there must be a ‘specialist responsible for the organization and safety of international transportation,'” Derkach explained.

The government plans to simplify licensing, leaving only the necessary requirements to ensure passenger safety.

The new system will be presented for discussion with the business in the near future.

2. New rules for market regulation

The Ministry is working to create a fair system for all market participants: drivers, passengers, online platforms, and the state. It plans to hold consultations with business representatives and analyze international experience.

Special attention will be paid to ride-hailing services (Bolt, Uklon, Uber, etc.). It is expected that the new rules will provide for a mandatory license for such carriers, as well as a transparent tax payment system.

What does this mean for drivers and passengers?

• Legal taxi drivers will receive clear and simplified rules of operation;
• Passengers will be able to enjoy safe transportation;
• The state will receive additional budget revenues through tax payments.

As a reminder, inspectors of the State Service for Transport Safety have started conducting raids on drivers who work with well-known taxi services but do not have a license.

As a reminder, the Verkhovna Rada has registered draft law No. 11025, which regulates the issue of bringing to justice road carriers that carry out passenger transportation by bus without the appropriate permits (“illegal” transportation).

How to obtain a taxi license

According to clause 11 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1001, the following requirements are set for drivers engaged in domestic and international passenger transportation by taxi

• availability of a driver’s license of category B;
• at least three years of driving experience under category B;
• minimum age of 21 years.

according to clause 11 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1001, the following requirements are established for drivers engaged in domestic and international transportation of passengers by taxi

• a driver’s license of category B;
• at least three years of driving experience under category B;
• the minimum age of a person is 21 years.

How much does a taxi license cost in Ukraine?

On the Diia portal, the cost of obtaining a license is UAH 2,481.

Renewal, replacement of data or revocation of a license is free of charge. A taxi license for private representatives costs from UAH 2,500.