Taxis
1. Mission of the Ministry of Transport and Communications
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is responsible for legislation on taxi services and for its further development and consistent implementation. Where necessary, the Ministry also participates in other development projects concerning taxi transport.
Provisions on taxi services are laid down in the Taxi act (217/2007), which entered into force on 1 August 2007. The purpose of the Act is to ensure high-quality taxi transport services throughout Finland.
The maximum prices charged from customers for taxi services are established annually by Government decree.
2. Taxi licence
Under the Taxi act, the professional transport of people in passenger cars on public roads is subject to a licence granted by the local ELY Centre for economic development, transport and the environment.
The criteria for obtaining a licence are laid down in the Taxi act (217/2007). Examples of the criteria include that licence-holders must have the professional skills necessary to provide taxi services and be able to meet their financial obligations. The required professional skills are demonstrated by completing a transport operator training course for taxi services.
The ELY Centres confirm the maximum number of taxi licences per municipality on an annual basis. The licences are granted by the applicant's local ELY Centre. One of the prerequisites for obtaining a taxi licence is the completion of a transport operator training course.
3. Taxi driver's licence
In order to obtain a taxi driver's licence, the applicants must complete compulsory training. The training requirements focus on traffic safety and the communications skills needed in customer service. The Act on the professional competence of taxi drivers (695/2009) entered into force at the start of 2010.
- New taxi drivers applying for a licence are required to have completed a minimum of 30 hours of training. In addition, they must demonstrate their knowledge of the local environment to the organiser of the training.
- The taxi driver's licence is valid for five years at a time. To renew his/her licence, the taxi driver must take part in further training lasting at least one day. This requirement applies to all taxi drivers.
- Professional driver's licences for driving a passenger car issued before 2010 must be exchanged for the new licence within five years of the entry into force of the Act on the professional competence of taxi drivers.
- The licences are issued by the police. The training licences are granted by the Finnish Transport Safety Agency.