(source: Sme)
New conditions for running a taxi business are expected to prevent illegal work and introduce a more efficient manner of checking taxi drivers.
The amendment to the Road Traffic Act, adopted by the parliament in early December, will become effective in April 2019.
Fewer obligations
The Transport Ministry admitted that the changes introduced back in 2012 have not worked out well. Under the new rules, taxi drivers will have fewer obligations.
“The practice since 2012 has shown that some conditions had to be revised,” the Transport Ministry explained, as quoted by TASR.
The ministry also wants to prevent illegal work in this business.
Drivers will have to hold a driving license. They will also have to possess their own car or, at least, a car they have the right to use, TASR wrote.
Moreover, drivers will have to be clean-handed and obtain a taxi service licence, which is still the case.
Cars will have to be clearly identified as a taxi.
Today, taxi drivers have to prove their financial solvency as well as hold a document certifying their professional competence. They have to be additionally insured and own a taximeter at all times. Most of these obligations will be lifted, as reported by TASR.
The amendment regulates other conditions regarding a taxi driver and his/her car.
Taxi dispatching
The changes supplement a new form of business, namely taxi dispatching, TASR reported.
The law therefore regulates the conditions under which dispatching can be operated as well as introduces a new definition of dispatching.
It is described as the mediation of passenger transport services by vehicles with a maximum of nine people, including the driver, by phone, digital platform or other means.
“It’s about adapting conditions to the trend, because the future lies in the electronisation of services,” the ministry said, as quoted by TASR.
More checks
Even if administration is reduced, checks will be stricter, TASR wrote.
Only municipalities had been allowed to carry out checks.
The municipal or the state police, the Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI) and the National Labour Inspectorate will be able to stop and check a car, the new rules suggest.
Penalties for breaching the law will also increase, TASR reported.
