How to become a taxi driver - a list of documents and actions for the driver

• April 22, 2019
• Documentation
• Marina Lobacheva

Working in a taxi is of interest to many citizens, and such activity can be the main one or act as a part-time job. If the owner of the car is interested in this way of earning money, then he will have to figure out what documents are needed to work in a taxi. To do this, it is taken into account whether the car owner will work for another company or register as an individual entrepreneur. At the same time, certain requirements are imposed not only on the driver, but also on the car that is used to provide services to the population.

Vehicle requirements

Working conditions in a taxi are not considered too harsh, but to operate in this area some requirements must be taken into account. They are presented to a car that is used to transport people. Therefore, the following conditions must be met:

• good technical condition of the machine;
• availability of a diagnostic card, and technical inspection should be carried out every six months;
• checking the condition of the vehicle before each shift;
• the car must have certain items with which you can understand that it is used to provide a taxi service, for which a special diagram is most often applied to the side of the car;
• An orange lantern is installed on the roof.

In some regions, the administration has different requirements for cars used by taxi drivers. These requirements usually relate to the colors of the vehicles or their characteristics.

How to apply for a license if the car is not white

In order to independently obtain a license to operate a taxi without extra costs, the owner of a passenger car needs to know that a permit will be issued only if the car meets certain criteria adopted in each region by the local legislative body. In particular, in the Moscow region, only white cars are allowed to work.

What should those who have a car with a different color do? Should I go to a service station and have it repainted? What if the owner does not plan to engage in taxing on an ongoing basis? There is an amazing alternative - wrapping your car with white vinyl film. If the owner stops his taxi activity, the film can be easily removed.

Important! You can avoid fines by contacting the MREO to make changes to your car’s passport due to a change in the color of the car.

In addition to white, a taxi in the Moscow region must have two stripes on its side:

• gray – along the bottom of the body
• yellow with checkers - on the side.

Accordingly, the vehicle color should be displayed in the registration document as “white-yellow-gray”. For the correct registration of a white taxi license, we will provide a certificate:

“The color scheme of taxis introduced on the territory of the Moscow Region is a white body color, a yellow reflective strip with a width of 15 to 25 cm, which is located along the entire length of the side surfaces of the body. Also, the strip should not be lower than 10 centimeters from the lower borders of the side window frames. Also, within the framework of a single color scheme, taxi cars in the Moscow region must have dark gray stripes with a width of 15 to 25 cm, which must be placed along the entire length of the vehicle’s sills, side doors, as well as on the front and rear bumpers.”

What documents should the driver have?

Every car owner who plans to earn income from this activity must understand what documents are required to work in a taxi. They are required not only during the registration process, but also when carrying out activities. The following documents must be present in the car:

• taxi license, if the car owner is registered as an individual entrepreneur;
• driver card containing information about the taxi driver’s full name, his driver’s license number, and telephone number;
• rules for the carriage of passengers and baggage;
• taximeter, which is used to calculate the cost of services provided;
• strict reporting forms that are provided to clients upon their request;
• taxi driver's license;
• a valid diagnostic card;
• OSAGO policy;
• car owner's passport.

All these documents will be checked by traffic police officers if the car is stopped by a traffic inspector for various reasons. If it turns out that some significant documentation is missing, this will be the basis for holding the driver accountable.

"Pitfalls" of the profession

Many beginners are often interested in whether cars are needed to work as a taxi? And they are very happy to hear the encouraging “not always.” However, this circumstance sometimes turns out to be negative.

Experienced taxi drivers complain that ensuring the driver’s safety lies primarily with him. And different people use taxi services. The dispatcher cannot, and does not attempt to, determine whether the caller poses a threat. For this reason, the taxi driver never knows what kind of person got into his car and how the trip to a particular destination might end.

In addition, many cab drivers learn the arrival location directly from the client. This means that they are leaving in an unknown direction. And this is also fraught with unpleasant consequences.

The driver can still somehow improve his personal car. For example, equip it with a high headrest (to protect against a noose) or install a piece of iron into the back of the seat (to prevent a knife strike). The provided car must be returned in the same condition in which it was at the time of receipt. After all, it is often not assigned to one driver. And on different days the vehicle can be driven by different taxi drivers.

What other items should be in the car?

It is important to know not only what documents a taxi driver should have, but also what other items should be in the car. These include:

• taximeter, which determines the mileage and cost of the service;
• first aid kit, which may be required when providing first aid;
• spare wheel;
• working fire extinguisher;
• warning triangle;
• entrenching tool;
• if the driver offers services for transporting not only adult passengers, but also children, then he must have an optimal restraint device.

Thanks to these items, no unforeseen or even dangerous situations will arise on the road.

Rules for a taxi driver

Above we examined the first criterion for successfully obtaining a taxi license in Moscow. But there are also rules regarding the driver himself:

• the driver must have a driver's license
• driving experience must be less than five years
• the driver's appearance must be impeccable, as well as his speech
• The interior of the car must be maintained in proper condition by the owner
• The driver’s responsibilities include providing the car with special equipment - a taximeter, walkie-talkie, illuminated lamp and checkers.

In addition, the car must have a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a warning triangle. For successful work, it will not be superfluous to know the city and landmarks. And knowledge of traffic rules will ensure the health of both the driver and other road users.

What are the requirements for a taxi driver?

There are some requirements for a taxi driver, which make it possible to provide appropriate services to the population. These include:

• Rights of the required category.
• A medical certificate confirming that the person has the right to provide taxi services.
• License to operate.
• A waybill containing a note indicating that the pre-trip inspection has been completed.
• A certificate confirming that the driver has undergone a medical examination before the trip.
• Experience of at least three years, which is confirmed by the period of issue of a driver’s license.

A taxi license is considered the most difficult to obtain. It is she who confirms that the car owner actually has the right to engage in this activity legally.

Do drivers have to obtain official permission to carry passengers?

Private transportation is regulated by federal law. Today, it is impossible to drive a taxi without a license and a number of permits in any region of the country. Now taxi operations are considered a small business and are subject to taxes.

In order for passenger transportation to be legal, the driver must be officially licensed and have the proper accompanying documentation. Commercial taxi services without a license threaten the taxi driver with penalties!

An official license not only allows you to work legally and calmly, but also provides some advantages. For example, the ability to travel to dedicated lanes or cooperate with popular taxi services.

Features of working for the company

Many car owners prefer to work for large companies. In this case, they deduct a certain part of the fee that is charged to clients. Typically, companies hire taxi drivers taking into account the following requirements:

• the driver's age must exceed 23 years;
• the taxi driver must be a Russian citizen;
• having a category B license;
• no criminal record;
• availability of a valid medical certificate;
• the car may be offered by the company, or a personal car may be used, which must be in optimal condition;
• it is necessary to have permanent or temporary registration in the region where the citizen plans to work.

Another important requirement is having at least three years of driving experience.

Tax for individual entrepreneurs engaged in transportation

According to the law, an individual entrepreneur can determine his own tax payment system. However, in most cases, entrepreneurs find it difficult to make the right decision on their own. In this case, it is better for them to contact the tax service, where competent specialists will answer all their questions.

Nevertheless, existing entrepreneurs are happy to share their experience with newcomers. General recommendations are as follows:

1. OSNO is absolutely not suitable for taxi company owners. Because it requires strict recording of each income and expense.
2. A much larger number of individual entrepreneurs choose UTII. But only those whose taxi fleet numbers no more than twenty cars. It is also important to note that this system is valid only until 2021.
3. PSN will determine the amount of tax according to the number of cars in the company. In addition, it regulates the number of hired workers - no more than fifteen.
4. The simplified tax system is the most convenient and, in the opinion of many individual entrepreneurs, profitable system. It involves a tax of choice: in the amount of six percent of total income or fifteen percent of net revenue, that is, the difference between income and expenses.

Whether an individual entrepreneur is needed to work in a taxi is up to each driver to decide for himself. However, experienced entrepreneurs note that they themselves once worked “for their uncle” as an ordinary cab driver. After all, without knowing the basics and intricacies of the profession, it is very difficult to organize a business competently.

What do you need to work independently?

If a citizen with his own car wants to earn income from working in a taxi, then he can register as an individual entrepreneur. What documents are needed to work in a taxi? To do this, you need to register correctly and obtain a license.

To register an individual entrepreneur, the following documentation is required:

• application in form P21001;
• a receipt confirming payment of the duty;
• copy of the passport.

All this documentation is transferred to the Federal Tax Service department at the place of registration of the citizen. When filling out an application, it is important to wisely select OKVED codes that correspond to the chosen area of ​​work.

Is it possible to get a taxi license without opening an individual entrepreneur?

A permit for passenger transportation without opening an individual entrepreneur implies that the taxi driver will work in a personal car under the supervision of a certain company that has a business registration certificate. In this case, there is no need to contact the Federal Tax Service. The driver must obtain a permit from the Ministry of Transport confirming that his car meets all the standards that have been established for taxi drivers.

Such admission allows the owner of the car to get a job in an organization where he can receive orders. The taxi driver’s income in this case will be represented by percentages from each completed order.

If you want to obtain a license for passenger transportation, you should take into account that each region has its own rules regulating the number of taxi drivers. If it approaches the upper limit, then licenses begin to be issued in the form of an auction.

Rules for obtaining permits for working in a taxi

If you plan to operate independently, the entrepreneur will have to take care of obtaining a license for such work. What documents are needed to work in a taxi? To obtain a license you will need the following documentation:

• application in the prescribed form;
• a copy of the citizen's passport;
• a copy of the car registration certificate;
• certificate confirming the official registration of the individual entrepreneur;
• title documentation for the car, and it will not be possible to obtain a license if a person uses the car by proxy.

Difficulties in obtaining a permit will arise if the car was purchased on lease or leased. Additionally, you will need a certificate from a car repair shop, which confirms that the car is in optimal condition and can therefore be used for passenger transportation. The above documentation must be submitted to the Ministry of Transport office or local administration.

The submitted documents are studied for one month, after which, if there are no problems, the applicant is issued a license. Its validity period is 5 years.

The procedure for obtaining a taxi driver license without an individual entrepreneur

To obtain a permit, you must contact the Department of Transport with the appropriate application. You can compile it by visiting MFC branches in person or online on the State Services portal. The second option is preferable for those who are registering for the first time. By registering on the website as a legal entity (entering all the necessary data), the vehicle owner can draw up an application, spending only 20 minutes of free time on it. There is no need to waste precious time on the road and waiting in line. Here you can also pay the state fee using a bank card and get expert advice, which is completely free for registered persons.

It will take approximately 3 to 5 days to review your submitted application. After your application has been reviewed and approved, you collect a package of documents to submit to the MFC. The list of documents may differ from the one proposed by us due to the fact that the car owner may not submit documents personally, but use the services of an intermediary. But the main list must include:

• passport with registration in the Russian Federation and a copy of the first two pages
• vehicle passport and its copy
• certificate of registration of the car in MREO and its copy
• extract from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs
• OSAGO policy

To issue permits, your vehicle must be inspected by the relevant authorities for compliance with the rules that are adopted in each region of Russia by local authorities. Thus, in the city of Moscow it is customary that a car must have a yellow body color. And in the Moscow region - a white taxi.

Important! A taxi license will not be issued if the car you plan to operate is older than 10 years. If the vehicle is leased, the permit will be issued without hindrance, but persons who drive by proxy will be refused.

What information is contained in the license?

This document includes the following information:

• personal data of the driver, provided by his full name, gender, date of birth and passport details;
• information about the vehicle used for passenger transportation;
• information about the organization that issued this license;
• place and date of issue of the document.

If you engage in this activity without permits, then if such a violation is discovered, the driver will be held accountable.

Fine for lack of license

Every person should know what documents are needed to work in a taxi, so as not to face the negative consequences of not having the necessary documentation. The license is considered the most significant.

In 2021, the fine for lack of permitting documentation is 30 thousand rubles, although before 2015 the amount of such a sanction was 5 thousand rubles. If a repeated violation is discovered, then in addition to a large fine, the driver will lose his driver’s license for at least six months.

Assistance in obtaining a license in the Moscow region

Today, there are quite a lot of intermediary companies operating in the Moscow region that provide assistance in obtaining a document permitting legal taxiing. They offer services in obtaining a license, including if the car does not have the appropriate paint. We will neither encourage people to contact these companies nor hinder their activities. Whether to contact us or not is up to each of you to decide for yourself. But, knowing all the requirements and adhering to the accepted rules, obtaining a license yourself will not be difficult. In addition, you will save your own money. But today it is impossible to buy a taxi driver’s license without an individual entrepreneur; the document must be obtained legally.

We tried to consider all aspects of obtaining a license to work in a taxi, including the list of necessary documents. We hope that this article will be useful to you, because taxiing without a license is fraught with parting with your own funds. Call us and our specialists will advise you or help you with any service.

Have a nice trip!

Tags: taxi driver licenses apply for a license