Last updated: 18 June 2015
TAXI SERVICES: RESTRICTIONS
Law no. 129/2015, amending Law no. 38/2003 regarding taxi and rental transport was published in the Official Journal no. 396 of June 5, 2015 and it aims at putting an end to unauthorized transport services, accessible via UBER or certain websites.
Moreover, this law forbids hitch-hiking and punishes drivers who provide taxi services without holding a valid taxi license. These measures are applicable as of June 8 and are briefly presented to you hereinafter.
INTERDICTION TO TRANSPORT PERSONS WITHOUT HOLDING A VALID TAXI LICENSE
In accordance with Law no. 129/2015, public passenger transportation by taxi or by rented vehicles (performed when the authorized transport operator provides the client with a vehicle and a driver under a contract) can only be performed by authorized transport operators holding a valid taxi license or a certified copy thereof.
The law forbids public passenger transportation in exchange for an amount of money performed in the absence of a taxi license or of a certified copy thereof – for rental services.
Drivers who do not comply with the provisions of the said Law can be punished by a fine up to 5,000 Lei, as well as by the suspension of their right to use the vehicle for 6 months. The suspension is carried out by the traffic police agents, by withholding the registration certificate and license plates of the vehicle.
The provisions of Law no. 129/2015 aim at banning transport services “between individuals” carried out by drivers who do not hold a valid taxi license and who, according to the authorities, do not comply with the legal provisions in force regarding passenger transportation (especially in terms of security and insurance) and with the provisions regarding the payment of the tax on the revenues they obtain in such a manner. Furthermore, the Law also aims at banning the Uber mobile application, which connects users with drivers offering taxi services without holding a valid taxi license.
BANNING HITCH - HIKING
The aforementioned Law also bans transportation, for a fee, of hitch-hikers, even though the authorities will still find it difficult to prevent such traffic practices.
The provisions of Law no. 129/2015 only sanctions drivers performing passenger transportation services without holding a valid taxi license and not passengers who pay for such services. Furthermore, the authorities will have to prove that the services were supplied in exchange of a fee.