Taxi Licence in Romania

Taxi operator · alternative transport · driver atestare · ARR · vehicle inspection · Bucharest

Traditional taxi services and app-based ridesharing are regulated under separate legal regimes. Traditional taxis are authorised under Law 38/2003, while Uber, Bolt and similar services operate under the alternative transport regime established by OUG 49/2019. Two types of authorisation are available: a traditional taxi operator authorisation (autorizație taxi) and alternative transport authorisation for drivers operating through digital rideshare platforms such as Uber and Bolt.

Romania for Business Advisory S.R.L. assists entrepreneurs and companies in obtaining the appropriate taxi or alternative transport authorisation – identifying the correct authority, preparing the required documents and coordinating the application. We cover Bucharest and other major Romanian cities, and advise on the platform-specific requirements for drivers operating through Uber, Bolt and similar services.

Bucharest taxi licensing is subject to specific restrictions – check current status before proceeding

The Primăria Municipiului București (PMB) has periodically suspended the issuance of new taxi licences due to quota limitations. Before starting a Bucharest taxi licensing engagement, Romania for Business Advisory S.R.L. confirms the current status of new licence availability. Outside Bucharest, other city councils (Cluj, Timișoara, Iași, Constanța, etc.) operate on different timelines and quotas.

Two Routes – Traditional Taxi Operator vs Alternative Transport (Rideshare)

Romanian law distinguishes between two types of for-hire passenger transport: the traditional taxi (autorizație de taxi) and alternative transport (transport alternativ). The route that applies depends on the planned business model.

Traditional taxi

How it works:

Driver works independently or for a taxi company
Uses a taxi meter (taximetru) – fare calculated automatically
Yellow number plates for taxi company vehicles
Can be hailed on the street or booked in advance
Operates under a taxi operator authorisation

Issued by:

Local authority (primărie) – city-specific

Timeline:

4–12 weeks (varies by city)

Alternative Transport / Rideshare Platform

How it works:

Driver works through a digital platform such as Uber or Bolt and operates under the alternative transport regime, with an ARR authorisation, certified copy for the vehicle and alternative transport badge
No taxi meter – price set by the platform algorithm
Normal vehicle registration plates (no yellow plates)
Bookings made exclusively through the platform app
Operates under an alternative transport authorisation, a certified copy for the vehicle and an alternative transport badge

Issued by:

Romanian Road Authority (ARR)

Timeline:

4–8 weeks (varies)

Taxi and Alternative Transport Authorisation Requirements

Romanian taxi and alternative transport licensing has three layers: requirements for the company (operator), requirements for the driver and requirements for the vehicle. All three must be met before the authorisation is issued.

Company (Operator) Requirements

Operator requirement	What is required
Romanian company registration	The operator must have the appropriate CAEN Rev.3 activity code for passenger transport with driver, including taxi and rideshare activities.
Registered in the city of operation	The operator’s registered office must be in the city where the taxi licence is being applied for – or within the administrative boundary of the relevant local authority.
Taxi transport authorisation	The company must hold a taxi transport authorisation (autorizație de transport în regim de taxi) issued by the local transport authority (primăria). This authorisation covers the company’s transport activities – separate from the individual vehicle authorisation and driver certificate.
Vehicle authorisation (per vehicle)	Each vehicle used for taxi operations must have its own taxi vehicle authorisation (autorizație taxi) issued by the local authority. For alternative transport, each vehicle must have a valid certified copy of the alternative transport authorisation and alternative transport badges issued by ARR.

Driver Requirements – Taxi Atestare Certificate

Driver requirement	What is required
Valid Romanian driving licence	The driver must hold a valid Romanian driving licence (category B minimum) with at least 2 years of driving experience.
Taxi atestare certificate	Every taxi driver must hold an atestare de pregătire profesională pentru conducătorii auto din serviciul de transport în regim de taxi – a professional certificate issued by ARR (Autoritatea Rutieră Română) following a written examination. The exam covers traffic law, local geography, customer service and taxi regulations.
Criminal record extract	A clean criminal record extract (cazier judiciar) issued by the Romanian Police – confirming no convictions for offences that would disqualify the driver from taxi operations.
Medical fitness certificate	A medical certificate from an authorised occupational health provider confirming fitness to drive professionally – typically renewed annually.
Psychological aptitude certificate	A psychological assessment certificate from an authorised centre – confirming psychological suitability for professional driving.

Vehicle Requirements

Vehicle requirement	What is required
Vehicle age limit	Traditional taxi vehicles must not exceed the maximum age permitted by the local authority – typically 5–8 years from the year of manufacture, depending on the city. For alternative transport, the vehicle must be less than 15 years old when the certified copy expires.
Technical inspection (ITP)	A valid periodic technical inspection (ITP) certificate. Taxis are typically required to undergo ITP every 6 months (rather than annually for private vehicles).
Taxi-specific technical inspection	In addition to the standard ITP, taxis undergo a taxi-specific technical inspection confirming that all taxi equipment – meter, roof light, data terminal – meets technical standards.
Taxi meter (taximetru)	Traditional taxis must have an approved, sealed and calibrated taxi meter (taximetru fiscal – with fiscal receipt printing capability). The meter must be approved by the local authority and inspected regularly.
RCA insurance	Valid Romanian mandatory civil liability insurance (RCA) in force for the vehicle.
Professional liability insurance	For taxi operators – a professional liability insurance policy covering passengers for accidents and injuries during the transport service.

Bucharest vs Other Romanian Cities – Key Differences

Taxi licensing requirements vary between Bucharest (administered by PMB – Primăria Municipiului București) and other Romanian cities. Bucharest is the most complex licensing environment – and the one most commonly encountered by international clients. Alternative transport is authorised under the national OUG 49/2019 regime through ARR; it is not subject to the municipal taxi licence quota.

Factor	Bucharest (PMB)	Other cities (e.g. Cluj, Timișoara, Iași)
Issuing authority	PMB – Direcția Transport	Primăria locală / Consiliu Local
Taxi licence quota	Capped – new licences may be suspended at times	Generally open – fewer restrictions
Alternative transport	Authorised under the national OUG 49/2019 regime through ARR; it is not subject to the municipal taxi licence quota	Same – national regime through ARR
Language of process	Romanian	Romanian
Typical timeline	4–12 weeks (PMB backlogs common)	4–8 weeks (varies by city workload)
Fees	Higher – confirm with PMB	Lower – confirm with local authority
Complexity	High – PMB-specific procedures	Moderate – follow Law 38/2003

Requirements change frequently – confirm current rules before starting

Local authority taxi licensing requirements, quota availability, vehicle age limits and fee schedules are set by local council decision and change frequently – sometimes several times a year. Romania for Business Advisory S.R.L. confirms the current applicable rules for the specific city before starting the application process. Do not rely on information that is more than a few months old for taxi licensing.

Taxi / Alternative Transport Authorisation Application Process

The application process follows different sequences for traditional taxi (local authority) and alternative transport (ARR). Romania for Business Advisory S.R.L. identifies and prepares the correct package for the applicable route.

Licence type & city confirmed

Company registered with appropriate CAEN

Driver atestare obtained

Vehicle inspected (ITP + taxi)

Application prepared

Authority submission (local or ARR)

Authorisation issued

Stage	What happens
1. Licence type and city	We confirm whether the taxi operator authorisation or alternative transport authorisation applies, identify the correct authority and confirm current rules and availability.
2. Company registration	We confirm that the operating company is registered with the appropriate CAEN Rev.3 activity code for passenger transport with driver, including taxi and rideshare activities. If not yet registered, we coordinate the SRL registration.
3. Driver atestare	We advise the driver on the ARR taxi atestare examination requirements – including the examination syllabus, booking procedure and required supporting documents (criminal record, medical certificate, psychological certificate).
4. Vehicle inspection	We coordinate the vehicle’s standard ITP and the taxi-specific technical inspection – confirming that the vehicle meets the age, condition and equipment requirements.
5. Application preparation	We prepare the complete application file – company documents, driver certificates, vehicle documents, insurance certificates and all required forms.
6. Authority submission	We submit the application to the correct authority (local primărie for taxi, ARR for alternative transport) and manage correspondence – including any additional document requests.
7. Authorisation issued	The authority issues the authorisation. For alternative transport, ARR issues two alternative transport badges for each vehicle after a certified copy of the alternative transport authorisation has been issued and the operator provides evidence of affiliation with a digital platform. We brief the client on annual renewal obligations and any ongoing compliance requirements.

Alternative Transport and Rideshare Platforms – Uber, Bolt and Others

Romanian law regulates rideshare platform services as alternative transport under OUG 49/2019, approved with amendments by Law 204/2019. Drivers operating through platforms such as Uber, Bolt, Free Now and similar services in Romania must obtain alternative transport authorisation from ARR – they cannot operate legally using only the platform’s registration.

Alternative transport aspect	What applies in Romania
Legal basis	OUG 49/2019, approved with amendments by Law 204/2019 – established the alternative transport regime for rideshare platform operations in Romania.
Alternative transport badge (ecuson transport alternativ)	ARR issues two alternative transport badges for each vehicle after a certified copy of the alternative transport authorisation has been issued and the operator provides evidence of affiliation with a digital platform.
Platform registration is not enough	Being registered and approved by Uber or Bolt does not mean the driver is legally authorised to operate in Romania. The ARR alternative transport authorisation, certified copy and badges are separate legal requirements under Romanian law. Operating without them is an administrative offence.
Vehicle requirements	Vehicles used for alternative transport must meet the requirements of OUG 49/2019, including the statutory vehicle-age requirements. The vehicle must be less than 15 years old when the certified copy expires.
Driver requirements	Alternative transport drivers require the same taxi atestare certificate as traditional taxi drivers – professional driving certificate from ARR – plus clean criminal record, medical fitness and psychological certificate.
National regime	Alternative transport is authorised under the national OUG 49/2019 regime through ARR; it is not subject to the municipal taxi licence quota. Traditional taxi authorisations are issued under the local authority regime, while alternative transport authorisations, certified copies and badges for rideshare services are issued by ARR.

TAXI / ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT LICENCE – ROMANIA

from €1,500
engagement fee

TAXI LICENSING ENGAGEMENT INCLUDES:

Licence type assessment – taxi operator vs alternative transport (rideshare platform driver)
Authority identification – correct primărie for taxi or ARR for alternative transport
Company structure review – appropriate CAEN Rev.3 activity code for passenger transport
Driver atestare (taxi driver certificate) – requirements and procedure
Vehicle eligibility check – age, capacity, inspection (ITP) requirements
Taxi meter and equipment requirements – approved devices and calibration
Application preparation – all forms for the relevant authority
Vehicle technical inspection coordination (ITP + taxi-specific inspection)
Taxi badge and vehicle authorisation documentation
Alternative transport authorisation, certified copy and badge coordination – if applicable
Licence condition compliance briefing – annual renewal obligations

INDICATIVE ENGAGEMENT FEES

Taxi operator licence coordination (local authority application) from €1,500
Alternative transport authorisation, certified copy and badge coordination from €850
Driver taxi atestare (certificate) – documentation preparation from €200
Vehicle eligibility and ITP coordination (per vehicle) from €150
Annual licence renewal coordination from €250/yr
Bucharest taxi licence (PMB) – more complex, city-specific process from €700

Check taxi licence eligibility

Fees confirmed in writing after initial assessment. Authority administrative fees are billed at cost separately. Requirements vary by city and regime – confirm applicable rules before proceeding. Fees may be subject to Romanian VAT.

Frequently Asked Questions – Taxi Licence in Romania

Yes. Rideshare operations in Romania require an alternative transport authorisation issued by ARR, a valid certified copy for each vehicle and alternative transport badges issued by ARR. This is a separate requirement under Romanian law (OUG 49/2019, approved with amendments by Law 204/2019). Operating as a rideshare driver in Romania without the required ARR authorisation, certified copy and badges is an administrative offence – the vehicle can be impounded and the driver fined.

The taxi atestare (atestare de pregătire profesională pentru conducătorii auto din serviciul de transport în regim de taxi) is a professional certificate issued by ARR (Autoritatea Rutieră Română) that every taxi and alternative transport driver in Romania must hold. It is obtained by passing a written examination covering traffic law, local geography, taxi regulations and customer service. The examination is conducted by ARR at regional centres across Romania.

A taxi authorisation (autorizație taxi) is issued to traditional taxi operators – companies and individual entrepreneurs running metered taxi services with yellow plates. Alternative transport authorisation is issued to drivers and operators working through digital rideshare platforms (Uber, Bolt, etc.) – using standard plates, no taxi meter, and platform-app-only bookings. Traditional taxi authorisations are issued under the local authority regime, while alternative transport authorisations, certified copies and badges for rideshare services are issued by ARR.

Yes. A foreign national can obtain a taxi or alternative transport authorisation in Romania if they meet all the requirements – a valid Romanian driving licence (or an EU licence converted to Romanian), the taxi atestare certificate, clean criminal record, medical fitness and psychological certificates, and a Romanian-registered vehicle. The company operating the service must be registered in Romania (SRL or PFA) with the appropriate CAEN Rev.3 activity code.

The timeline depends on the city and the type of authorisation. In cities outside Bucharest, a standard taxi licence typically takes 4–8 weeks from a complete application. In Bucharest (PMB), the process is more complex and can take 8–12 weeks or longer. Alternative transport authorisation through ARR typically takes 4–8 weeks. The taxi atestare examination adds time to the process – ARR examination sessions are held periodically, not continuously.

Most Romanian cities set quotas for the total number of taxi authorisations that can be issued – based on population and transport demand. When the quota is full, new licences are not issued until an existing authorisation lapses or is surrendered. Bucharest has the most restrictive quota system. Alternative transport is authorised under the national OUG 49/2019 regime through ARR; it is not subject to the municipal taxi licence quota.

Vehicle requirements vary by city but generally include: vehicle age below the local authority’s maximum (typically 5–8 years from manufacture for traditional taxis); minimum seating capacity (usually at least 4 passenger seats); valid technical inspection (ITP); taxi-specific technical inspection; and mandatory civil liability insurance (RCA). Traditional taxis also require an approved fiscal taxi meter. For alternative transport, the vehicle must be less than 15 years old when the certified copy expires.

Yes. A company can hold both a traditional taxi authorisation and alternative transport authorisations – allowing it to operate both metered taxi services and platform-based rideshare services. Each vehicle requires its own separate authorisation (taxi or alternative transport), and drivers operating under each service type must meet the relevant requirements. This is a common model for companies diversifying across both traditional and platform-based services.

Yes. We assist with taxi and alternative transport licensing in all major Romanian cities – including Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, Constanța, Brașov, Craiova and others. The process and requirements vary by city – we identify the correct authority and applicable rules for each engagement. Bucharest is a separate engagement due to the PMB-specific complexity and higher fee level.