Applying for a service provider card

A service provider card proves the right to work as a driver providing taxi services.

A service provider card is granted for an unspecified term, unless the applicant requests it for a fixed term.

A service provider card is personal.

A service provider card is granted to a driver by the rural municipality government or the city government or an agency authorized by the rural municipality government or the city government in whose administrative territory the carrier wishes to provide taxi services.

Legal bases

• The Public Transport Act § 54 (3), § 57, § 58 (3), § 60 (3), § 61 (3), § 63 (2).
• Language Act § 23 (4).

Requirements for the applicant

Applicants for a service provider card must meet the following requirements:

• Have a valid right to drive at least a category B power-driven vehicle. A person who holds a provisional or a limited right to drive as specified in subsection 96 (1) of the Traffic Act does not have the right to obtain a service provider card.
• Speak Estonian at B1 level (Language Act)
• Comply with the requirement of good repute

1. they have not been convicted of a criminal offence of the first degree;
2. they have not been convicted of a criminal offence specified in §§ 422–424 of the Penal Code;
3. they have not been convicted of a misdemeanour specified in § 201, subsection 2 of § 221, subsection 2 of § 222, §§ 223–226, subsections 3 to 4 of § 227, subsection 2 of § 230, §§ 234–237 or subsection 2 of § 242 of the Traffic Act;

• They have not more than once been convicted of a

1. intentionally committed criminal offence of the second degree;
2. criminal offence specified in § 423 of the Penal Code;
3. misdemeanour specified in subsection 2 of § 227 of the Traffic Act;
4. misdemeanour specified in §§ 154¹ or 155² of the Taxation Act;
5. misdemeanour specified in §§ 6² or 6³ of the Fiscal Marking of Liquid Fuel Act;
6. misdemeanour specified in § 75 of the General Part of the Economic Activities Code Act;
7. misdemeanour specified in §§ 68–70 of the Consumer Protection Act;
8. misdemeanour provided for in § 36 or § 37 of the Language Act;
9. misdemeanour specified in § 88, subsection 1 of § 89 or subsection 1 of § 90 of the Public Transport Act.

• Pay the state fee prescribed for reviewing applications for a service provider card.

Cross-border operation

The holder of the service card may provide taxi services without restrictions in all territories of local governments located in the territory of Estonia.

Submitting the application

The following documents must be submitted to receive a service provider card:

• An application (containing the contact details of the applicant, including the telephone number, e-mail address, and postal address).
• The driving licence, unless it has been entered in the Estonian Traffic Registry.
• A photo that complies with the requirements of the Identity Documents Act (§15(7)).
• If the applicant wants that the term of validity of the service provider card granted to the applicant be limited in comparison with the term of validity set out in the Act, the requested term of validity must be submitted.

The application is submitted:

• via register of economic activities: or
• in writing by post or e-mail (digitally signed) to the rural municipality or city government

Payment of the state fee

Prior to submitting an application for a service provider card, the prescribed state fee of 38 euros must be paid.

For information on the payment of the state fee, contact the relevant local government.

Please note! At Harjumaa (except city Tallinn and Viimsi) please turn to the Põhja-Eesti Ühistranspordikeskus. At city Pärnu please turn to Pärnumaa Ühistranspordikeskus. At city Tallinn please turn to the Tallinna Munitsipaalpolitsei Amet.

Processing the application

The processing time of an application is up to 7 calendar days.

Applicants are notified of the issue of their service provider cards by regular mail or e-mail.

The service provider card is is issued on the paper if the taxi service is ordered and the price is calculated as a so-called classical taxi (the vehicle is equipped with a taximeter, printer, plafon, carrier's name).

The service provider card is only electronic where the buying and calculation the price of taxi services takes place via internet platform, the so-called smart taxi.

If an application contains deficiencies, the applicant will be granted a reasonable time limit for eliminating these deficiencies. The time limit set for reviewing the application will be suspended until the deficiencies have been eliminated.

If the applicant fails to eliminate the deficiencies within the time limit, the application may be dismissed.

A service provider card is granted for an unspecified term, unless the applicant requests it for a shorter term.

Renouncement of economic activities

For temporary renouncement or fully renouncement suspension of the service providers card please use the register of economic activities.

Revocation of the activity licence

The issuer of a service provider card may make a precept to the holder to eliminate deficiencies or may suspend the validity of the service provider card for a fixed term or revoke it where:

• the service provider card holder does not meet the requirements provided for in § 57 of Public Transport Act;
• the data of the holder of the service provider card do not match with those indicated on the service provider card
• upon applying for the service provider card, the holder thereof has knowingly submitted false information that influenced the deciding of the application.

Supervision

The rural municipality government or the city government exercises supervision over compliance with the requirements of the service provider card.

On the roads, the Police and Border Guard Board supervises the existence of the service provider card.

Contact details

Substantive information

1. The respective city or rural municipality governments.

2. Katrin Tambur, Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, tel: 5851 6035 (on business days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m), e-mail: [email protected]

Registry information and technical questions

Register of Economic Activities, tel: +372 668 7080, e-mail: [email protected]

Laws

• Public Transport Act
• General Part of the Economic Activities Code Act

Related institutions

• Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture
• Estonian Transport Administration