Brussels · Rank · Street
Rank taxi or street taxi in Brussels: what the reform changes
Since the Brussels taxi reform, a badge alone is not enough. You must understand whether you are a rank taxi, street taxi or ceremonial taxi — and which proof to hold during a control.
In short
In Brussels: the rank taxi is the classic taxi (visual identity, spoutnik, ranks, daily route sheet). The street taxi follows the reservation/platform model (Uber, Bolt) — without the same parking rights. Off-platform, the street taxi must prove the booking via a booking form, not a rank route sheet. This does not bypass Brussels ↔ Flanders rules.
In Brussels, since the taxi reform, there are mainly three categories:
- rank taxi: classic taxi, visual identity, spoutnik/light sign, access to taxi ranks;
- street taxi: former LVC/VTC world, often linked to platforms like Uber, without rank visual identity — TX plate and badge;
- ceremonial taxi: separate category.
The local police summarises the difference: rank taxis are recognisable by their marking and light sign; street taxis do not have this specific visual identity — apart from the TX plate and badge/authorisation behind the windscreen. Uber is classified in this category.
1. Rank taxi vs street taxi: what changes in Brussels
| Topic | Rank taxi | Street taxi |
|---|---|---|
| Visual identity | Marking + spoutnik | TX plate + badge |
| Taxi ranks | Yes | No |
| Model | Cruising + reservation | Prior reservation |
| Uber / Bolt | No | Yes (platform logic) |
| Control document | Daily route sheet | Booking proof / booking form |
Many confuse "I have a Brussels taxi badge" with "I have all the rights of a rank taxi". It is not the same.
2. Uber/Bolt and street taxi
In Brussels, Uber and Bolt fall under street taxi logic. GTL, relaying the Brussels reform, explains that street taxis must be reserved in advance, while only rank taxis may use ranks reserved on public space.
For an Uber/Bolt driver in Brussels:
- they need a Brussels street taxi authorisation;
- they cannot behave like a rank taxi;
- they cannot use ranks reserved for rank taxis;
- they do not have the same parking/circulation rights as rank taxis.
3. Route sheet: rank taxi only
On the official page, Brussels Mobility deals with route sheets for rank taxis. The Passenger Transport Directorate no longer issues paper sheets: you must complete the operator name and BCE number, print, number and retain sheets as PDF.
The order of 6 October 2022 (article 57) explicitly refers to rank taxi drivers: until the planned IT system is operational, they must be able to hand over a printed or electronic daily route sheet to control agents — with date, operator, badge, plate, driver certificate, service start, taximeter index, trip numbers, addresses and times, amounts collected, etc.
Street taxis are not subject to the same daily route sheet obligation. Official sources link this document explicitly to rank taxis. For ranks, the digital version can be kept via TaxiGer.
4. Booking form: proof for off-platform street taxi
For street taxi, the legal text mainly refers to booked trip, reserved trip, trip data and proof of availability. The booking form is the practical way to materialise this reservation when the trip does not go through Uber, Bolt or another intermediary.
The order specifies that street taxi drivers on duty may not park or make round trips within 100 metres of a taxi rank, except within a booked trip.
The booking form precisely proves that the street taxi was not cruising, but carrying out a booked trip.
Trip via platform
If the trip goes through Uber, Bolt or an approved intermediary, the order provides that the prior information obligation lies with that intermediary — when the trip is reserved via that channel.
Off-platform trip
Without Uber/Bolt, the operator must produce their own elements: booking, client, time, pickup, destination, vehicle, driver, estimated or agreed price. The order also specifies that rank and/or street taxi operators are responsible for certain data communications, unless contractually delegated to a reservation intermediary — and that during a control they must demonstrate that availability concerns the entire vehicle.
Distinguish route sheet and booking form. The daily route sheet concerns the rank taxi. For street taxi, the issue is proving the trip was booked — via the platform or an off-platform booking form.
5. Does this change the Brussels ↔ Flanders rule?
Not in substance.
The interregional rule remains the same: to work in Brussels (pick up and drop off a client on Brussels territory), you need a Brussels authorisation. A vehicle from another Region can pick up a client in Brussels only if the trip is reserved, accepted outside Brussels, and the destination is outside Brussels.
A Flemish taxi cannot say: "I am the equivalent of a street taxi, so I can do Brussels → Brussels." Without Brussels authorisation, it remains within the interregional exception.
Conversely, a Brussels street taxi cannot use its Brussels status to do local Flanders → Flanders without being in order on the Flemish side (IBP licence, bestuurderspas, Chiron).
Go further
For off-platform trips, the operator must keep their own proof. TaxiGer serves as an internal register and digital booking form for street taxi — and as a digital route sheet for rank taxi.
Conclusion
The rank / street distinction changes rights in Brussels — not interregional rules.
- rank taxi: ranks, visual identity, spoutnik, daily route sheet;
- street taxi: reserved/platform model, off-platform booking form;
- Uber/Bolt: street taxi logic;
- Brussels ↔ Flanders: authorisation or interregional exception, whatever the status.
Next step
Also working in Flanders? Flemish trips must be transmitted to Chiron — regardless of Brussels rank or street status.
Taxi Brussels ↔ Flanders →FAQ
Official sources
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This article is for information only. For regulatory decisions, consult official Flemish sources or your legal adviser.