Glossary
Flemish taxi jargon, explained
The taxi sector is full of abbreviations and technical terms. Here are the ones you meet as a taxi operator in Flanders, explained briefly and clearly.
- IBP (individual paid passenger transport)
- The licence you need to carry paying passengers by car in Flanders. It replaced the old taxi licence and the licence for hire with driver.
- Chiron
- The Flemish government's central ride database. Every licensed taxi operator sends each ride to it in real time.
- Driver pass (bestuurderspas)
- The personal document every taxi driver needs in order to drive. You apply for it at the municipality.
- IBP licence (vergunning)
- The licence in the operator's name to offer taxi services, formerly the operating licence. The municipal college issues it, and it is valid across Flanders.
- Stand authorisation (machtiging)
- The extra municipal authorisation to use stands on the public road. A rank taxi needs it, on top of the licence.
- T-plate
- The number plate marked with a T carried by taxis and paid passenger transport vehicles in Belgium.
- Ecoscore
- A score expressing a vehicle's environmental performance. Flanders ties minimum requirements for taxis to it, tightening towards 2025 and 2030.
- Transport receipt (vervoerbewijs)
- The proof the customer receives for a ride, with the ride details and the fare.
- Duty sheet (dienststaat)
- The record of a driver's worked shifts and rides. It is needed for accounting and inspections.
- Centaurus2020
- The Flemish government system municipalities use to manage licences and driver passes.
- Street taxi (straattaxi)
- One of the four service types. A street taxi is booked in advance, for example via an app, and needs no taxi light or taximeter.
- Rank taxi (standplaatstaxi)
- A taxi that picks up customers at a stand on the public road. It needs a municipal authorisation, a taxi light and a taximeter.
- On-the-spot fine (onmiddellijke inning)
- A fine you pay immediately at a check, without going through court. For taxi offences it is usually between €100 and €500 per offence. Operating without a licence goes to the police court instead.
- Retribution fee (retributie)
- The fee you pay the municipality to process your licence or driver pass. The amount varies by municipality.
This glossary is a general explanation and not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult your municipality or a specialised lawyer.