Taxi licence in Leuven: IBP vergunning, bestuurderspas, standplaatstaxi and Chiron

In this case, you need to understand four elements:

1. the vergunning IBP, i.e. the taxi operating licence in Flanders;
2. the bestuurderspas, i.e. the mandatory driver card;
3. the machtiging standplaatstaxi, if you want to use Leuven's taxi ranks;
4. Chiron, the central Flemish database where operators must transmit their trip data.

The City of Leuven groups these procedures in its official taxi section: bestuurderspas, vergunning to operate a taxi service, and machtiging standplaatstaxi.

1. What is a vergunning IBP?

In Flanders, the taxi licence is officially called vergunning voor individueel bezoldigd personenvervoer, often abbreviated vergunning IBP.

The Flemish government defines individueel bezoldigd personenvervoer as transport organised for payment, for up to 9 occupants including the driver, when the customer chooses the destination.

This licence is required to operate a taxi service in Flanders. It is valid for 5 years and may then be renewed.

2. Where to apply for a taxi licence in Leuven?

In Leuven, applications for a vergunning to operate a taxi service go through Centaurus 2020, the Flemish portal for taxi-related applications.

The City of Leuven states that this licence is required to operate a taxi or ceremonial transport service in Leuven. See the vergunning uitbaten taxidienst page.

After submission, the college of mayor and aldermen checks whether the application is compliant. A decision is communicated within 45 days of a complete file, or 60 days during holiday periods. After approval, the licence is granted for 5 years.

Key point: the clock only really starts when the file is complete.

3. How much does a taxi licence cost in Leuven?

Leuven publishes indicative amounts for the taxi licence.

For the vergunning, the City states:

• €437.47 per authorised vehicle;
• €312.48 for ecological vehicles.

The City states these are base amounts per authorised vehicle and are indexed annually.

For machtiging standplaatstaxi, Leuven states an annual fee of €100 per taxi bay.

Check these amounts at the exact time of application, as they may change with indexation.

4. What documents to prepare for a taxi licence in Leuven?

Leuven provides a clear document checklist.

For the operator, you need in particular:

• a copy of the identity card;
• a criminal record extract for all managers or directors, model 596.1-27, no older than 3 months;
• a certificate proving compliance with social security charges;
• a certificate proving compliance with tax charges;
• proof that the operator can use the vehicles;
• proof of minimum Dutch level B1. If the operator only has level A2, they have 2 years to reach B1.

For each vehicle, Leuven requires in particular:

• a copy of the insurance certificate;
• a copy of the insurance policy;
• a copy of the technical inspection;
• a copy of the conformity certificate;
• a copy of the registration certificate;
• dienststaat and vervoerbewijs documents from a test trip, or information on the type and operation of equipment used to book and record trips.

Leuven does not only ask for a car and insurance. The City also wants to understand how trips are booked, recorded and documented — including via software connected to Chiron.

5. Straattaxi in Leuven: how does it work?

A straattaxi is a taxi that can be contacted directly: on the street, by phone or via an app.

The City of Leuven states that straattaxi's are contacted directly by the customer, and the taxi company sets its own fares. These fares must be clearly stated in an app, on a website or in a brochure for the customer.

This is the model closest to platforms like Uber or Bolt. The Flemish government also states that to drive with Uber or Bolt in Flanders you need a Flemish taxi licence, a bestuurderspas and a vehicle connected to Chiron.

6. Standplaatstaxi in Leuven: local authorisation required

To operate a standplaatstaxi in Leuven, the IBP licence alone is not enough.

The City states that in addition to the licence you must apply for a machtiging voor standplaatstaxi's from the City of Leuven. See the machtiging standplaatstaxi page.

The standplaatstaxi page states that authorisations for Leuven taxi ranks are limited in number. Currently there are no free places, but you can join a waiting list.

Many drivers think an IBP licence is enough to park anywhere. In Leuven, it is not — compare with Ghent or Bruges.

7. Standplaatstaxi waiting list: priority for electric vehicles

Leuven operates two waiting lists for standplaatstaxi's:

• one for electric vehicles;
• one for conventional vehicles.

The City states that the electric vehicle list is prioritised.

An operator targeting Leuven taxi ranks should think about vehicle choice from the start. An electric vehicle may give an advantage in the waiting list procedure.

8. Where are the taxi ranks in Leuven?

The City of Leuven lists several standplaatstaxi locations:

• Martelarenplein: 16 taxis;
• Ferdinand Smoldersplein: 4 taxis;
• Margarethaplein: 2 taxis;
• Martelarenlaan: 2 taxis;
• Naamsestraat, near Heilig Hart hospital: 2 taxis;
• Naamsestraat, near Lakenweversstraat: 2 taxis;
• Sint-Michielsstraat: 2 taxis.

9. Standplaatstaxi fares in Leuven

Leuven also publishes standplaatstaxi fares.

For tariff A, return trip:

• flag fall: €10, including the first 2.5 km;
• per-km rate: €1.35/km;
• waiting rate: €45/hour;
• night supplement between 10pm and 6am: maximum €2 extra on the flag fall.

For tariff B, one-way trip:

• flag fall: €10, including the first 2.5 km;
• per-km rate: €2.70/km;
• waiting rate: €45/hour;
• night supplement between 10pm and 6am: maximum €2 extra on the flag fall.

For straattaxi's, the company sets its own fares but must communicate them clearly to the customer.

10. Bestuurderspas in Leuven: mandatory for the driver

The bestuurderspas is mandatory to drive a taxi.

The City of Leuven states that the bestuurderspas is required to drive a taxi and is valid for 5 years.

To apply for a bestuurderspas in Leuven, you need in particular:

• to live in Leuven;
• to be at least 21 years old;
• a driving licence with valid medical selection;
• Dutch level B1 2.2 at minimum, or A2 with 2 years to reach B1;
• a copy of the identity card or residence card;
• a copy of the driving licence with medical selection;
• a criminal record extract model 596.1-28 less than 3 months old;
• proof of Dutch language knowledge.

Applications can be made online via Centaurus 2020 or on paper with the City of Leuven.

11. Bestuurderspas price in Leuven

Leuven states a price of €25 for the bestuurderspas. This amount is adjusted annually for indexation.

The Flemish government also states that the bestuurderspas costs €25, is valid for 5 years, and a driver operating without a bestuurderspas risks a fine of €500. See the official bestuurderspas page.

Each year, the driver must upload a new criminal record extract in Centaurus.

12. Can you drive with Uber or Bolt in Leuven without a licence?

No.

To drive with Uber or Bolt in Flanders, the Flemish government states you need:

• a vergunning voor taxidiensten;
• a bestuurderspas;
• a vehicle connected to Chiron.

Registration on Uber, Bolt or another platform does not replace Flemish obligations.

13. Chiron: the obligation after the licence

Once the taxi business is running, the operator must transmit trip information to Chiron, the central Flemish taxi trip database.

The Flemish government states that every taxi service operator must send trip information to Chiron.

Before sending production data, the official procedure requires:

1. registration on the test environment;
2. sending 10 test messages: 5 departures and 5 arrivals;
3. registration on the Chiron production environment.

Access credentials must then be shared with the IT specialist or prestataire informatique responsible for connecting the system to Chiron. See the guide Chiron registration step by step.

14. Checklist before applying for your taxi licence in Leuven

Before submitting your application, check:

Operator

• Is your company or sole trader activity correctly registered?
• Do you have a copy of your identity card?
• Do you have a recent criminal record extract model 596.1-27?
• Are you compliant with social security charges?
• Are you compliant with tax charges?
• Do you have Dutch B1 proof or at least A2?
• Is your file ready in Centaurus 2020?

Vehicle

• Do you have proof of purchase, leasing or vehicle availability?
• Is the vehicle insured?
• Do you have the insurance policy?
• Is the technical inspection in order?
• Is the conformity certificate available?
• Is the registration certificate ready?
• Can your system produce dienststaat and vervoerbewijs documents?

Driver

• Does the driver have a bestuurderspas?
• Is the driver at least 21 years old?
• Does the licence include medical selection?
• Is the criminal record extract model 596.1-28 recent?
• Is the Dutch language proof ready?

Standplaatstaxi

• Do you want to use Leuven taxi ranks?
• Do you need a machtiging standplaatstaxi?
• Are you prepared to wait, as there are currently no free places?
• Is your vehicle electric or conventional?
• Do you understand that the electric list is prioritised?

Chiron

• Have you planned the Chiron connection?
• Do you have access to the test environment?
• Have the 10 test messages been sent?
• Have credentials been shared with your prestataire informatique?
• Is your system ready for production?

Conclusion

Leuven is useful for taxi operators because local rules are quite concrete.

The City publishes required documents, deadlines, amounts, standplaatstaxi locations, fares and waiting list rules.

Before starting a taxi business in Leuven, you must be compliant on three levels:

1. operations, with the vergunning IBP;
2. the driver, with the bestuurderspas;
3. trips, with transmission to Chiron.

If you want to use Leuven taxi ranks, add a fourth level: the machtiging standplaatstaxi.

Best practice: do not wait until you have your first customers to organise compliance. Prepare your file, check your vehicles, choose a tool suited to your activity and plan for Chiron from day one.

FAQ

Official sources

• City of Leuven — Voor taxi's
• City of Leuven — Vergunning uitbaten taxidienst
• City of Leuven — Machtiging standplaatstaxi
• City of Leuven — Bestuurderspas voor taxi's
• City of Leuven — Met de taxi in Leuven
• Flemish government — Taxi service licence
• Flemish government — Bestuurderspas for taxi drivers
• Flemish government — Chiron trip database
• Centaurus 2020