Finnish taxi sign. Photo: Santeri Viinamäki / Wikipedia Commons
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Proposed changes to Finland’s taxi regulations have received widespread support following a consultation process that drew over 150 responses, the Ministry of Transport and Communications confirmed on Wednesday.
The public consultation ran from 24 April to 6 June 2025 and focused on a government draft proposal designed to strengthen oversight and improve safety in the taxi sector.
“It is important that we received such a large number of responses. The feedback ensures the new legislation will reflect the needs of both taxi users and service providers. Our goal is to bring safe taxis back to Finnish roads,” said Lulu Ranne, Minister of Transport and Communications.
Respondents broadly supported the goals of restoring trust and improving safety in the industry. Proposals on driver training and changes to the criteria for disqualifying drivers based on certain criminal offences were widely endorsed.
Support was also recorded for enhanced background checks and clearer standards of professional conduct. The Ministry said these elements would remain central in the final draft of the legislative proposal.
One of the most debated items was the proposed return of mandatory taximeters in all taxis. While supported by traditional taxi firms, industry associations, and individual drivers, platform-based operators opposed the measure.
Authorities including the Tax Administration’s grey economy unit, the Ministry of the Interior, and the National Emergency Supply Agency backed the taximeter requirement. In contrast, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, most wellbeing services counties, and city administrations opposed it.
Of all respondents, 43 percent supported mandatory taximeters, while 22 percent were against the proposal.
The Ministry will revise the draft law based on the feedback before submitting it to Parliament.
The proposed legislative changes include a series of reforms aimed at raising the professional standard of taxi drivers. All new drivers would be required to complete 21 hours of training. Those renewing their licence would need to attend a seven-hour refresher course, which would apply for a limited period.
The law would also tighten requirements for holding a taxi operating licence. The licensing process would include stricter documentation, more frequent inspections, and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
The proposal includes measures to improve the transparency and identification of licensed taxis. Vehicles used for taxi services would need to be registered under the name or control of a licensed operator and linked directly to the operator’s licence in the national transport register.
A distinct coloured licence plate would be introduced for all registered taxis. Operator details would be made publicly accessible using the vehicle’s registration number, allowing customers to verify licence status online.
Taximeters would become compulsory in all taxis to enable the collection of ride data for regulatory purposes. Responsibility for fare information would be shared by the driver and licence holder.
The draft also includes updated sanctions for violations of taxi regulation. These would cover failures in fare transparency, unlicensed operations, and breaches of vehicle or driver registration rules.
The Ministry said the changes are part of a broader effort to address misuse in the taxi market and to align safety and accountability standards with other sectors of public transport.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
