Taxi licence in Bruges: 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 Bruges' taxi ranks;
4. Chiron, the central Flemish database where operators must transmit their trip data.

The City of Bruges states that a taxi operator must hold a vergunning voor diensten Individueel Bezoldigd Personenvervoer and a bestuurderspas. The official page covers straattaxi's, standplaatstaxi's, ceremonial transport and openbaarvervoer-taxi.

1. What is a vergunning IBP?

In Flanders, the official term is not simply "taxi licence", but vergunning voor taxidiensten or vergunning voor individueel bezoldigd personenvervoer.

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 mandatory 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 Bruges?

In Bruges, vergunning applications or modifications go through Centaurus 2020, the Flemish database for taxi-related applications.

The City of Bruges states that the municipal college checks in particular:

• moral guarantees;
• professional competence;
• solvency;
• proof of Dutch language knowledge.

The licence is issued within 45 days after the application is declared complete. During holiday periods, this may be extended to 60 days.

Important: the clock really starts when the file is complete. If a document is missing or incorrect, processing may take longer.

3. What documents to prepare for a taxi licence in Bruges?

Bruges is helpful because the City clearly lists documents to upload via Centaurus 2020.

For a vergunning IBP application, the operator candidate must prepare in particular:

• a criminal record extract no older than 3 months;
• a copy of the identity card;
• a document 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, with the option of two years to reach B1 if the candidate already has proof of level A2.

For vehicles, Bruges also lists several documents:

• copies of the insurance certificate;
• insurance policy;
• technical inspection;
• conformity certificate;
• registration certificate;
• original dienststaat prints;
• vervoerbewijs from a test trip;
• inspection report;
• taximeter test report for standplaatstaxi's.

Practical tip: prepare your file as a checklist before submitting. In Bruges, the expected content is clear enough to avoid many back-and-forth exchanges.

4. Straattaxi in Bruges: how does it work?

A straattaxi is the model closest to platforms like Uber or Bolt.

The Flemish government explains that a straattaxi can be booked via an app, with a price agreed before departure, and payment may also go through the app. The operator sets its own fares, but they must be clearly visible to the customer.

For straattaxi's, the Flemish government also states:

• the service may be offered throughout Flanders;
• the operator is not limited to the municipality where the licence was obtained;
• taxilicht and taximeter are not always required;
• without a passenger or booking, the vehicle may not be within 200 metres of a rank reserved for standplaatstaxi's.

For an Uber/Bolt operator in Bruges, this distinction is essential: you are not automatically a standplaatstaxi simply because you have an IBP licence.

5. Standplaatstaxi in Bruges: local authorisation required

In Bruges, to use reserved taxi ranks on the public highway you need a machtiging standplaatstaxi.

The Bruges regulation states that only holders of a vergunning IBP may apply for a standplaatstaxi machtiging. No one may park on a rank reserved for taxis in Bruges without City authorisation.

Applications also go through Centaurus 2020 and documents are submitted electronically. The City states that the municipal administration does not upload evidence into the database on behalf of the operator.

To obtain a machtiging standplaatstaxi, the operator must in particular:

• hold a vergunning IBP;
• continue to meet morality, professional competence and solvency conditions;
• provide a recent criminal record extract if the one in Centaurus is too old;
• provide a copy of the vergunning IBP;
• provide a copy of the identity card;
• if employing staff, provide a list of employed drivers and DIMONA proofs;
• provide tax and social security certificates.

The machtiging decision is taken within 45 days from when the application is complete.

Compare with Ghent (waiting list, 220-vehicle limit) and Antwerp (no machtiging standplaatstaxi possible).

6. Specific obligations for standplaatstaxi's in Bruges

The Bruges regulation imposes several obligations on holders of a machtiging standplaatstaxi.

Drivers must behave correctly towards customers, colleagues and third parties, drive courteously, wear appropriate attire and accept electronic payments.

The regulation also states that machtiging holders should primarily use taxi parking bays at the city-centre station when they are available.

In Bruges, taxi activity is not only about the licence: image, tourist welcome, parking and service quality also matter for standplaatstaxi's.

7. Bestuurderspas in Bruges: mandatory for the driver

The bestuurderspas is mandatory for taxi and VVB drivers. Bruges states that all concerned drivers must have one, including operators who drive themselves and their employees. See the official bestuurderspas page.

Applications go through Centaurus 2020. Processing takes 20 days after a complete application is submitted.

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

• a criminal record extract model 596.1-28 with taxichauffeur mention;
• a copy of the identity card or residence permit;
• a copy of the driving licence with medical selection;
• a certificate of knowledge of wheelchair passenger transport if the driver transports wheelchair users;
• proof of Dutch level B1.

Bruges states that the 2026 fee for the bestuurderspas is €25, payable on collection at the Huis van de Bruggeling.

8. Dutch B1: plan ahead

The Dutch level requirement appears in two places: for the operator and for the driver.

For a taxi licence in Bruges, the City requires proof of minimum Dutch level B1. If the candidate has proof of level A2, they may have two years to reach B1.

For the bestuurderspas, the Flemish government also states that the required level is B1, oral and written. A driver may receive a bestuurderspas with level A2, but must reach B1 within two years. See the official bestuurderspas page.

Prepare this early. Many files are delayed not because of the vehicle, but because the language proof is not ready.

9. Can you drive with Uber or Bolt in Bruges without a licence?

No.

The Flemish government clearly states that to drive with Uber or Bolt in Flanders you need a vergunning voor taxidiensten, a bestuurderspas, and the vehicle used must be connected to the Chiron database.

Platform registration does not replace Flemish obligations.

To work legally in Bruges with Uber, Bolt or another platform, check:

• the IBP licence;
• the driver card;
• the authorised vehicle;
• service documents;
• trip transmission to Chiron.

10. 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.

Before sending trip data, the Flemish government states you must register with Chiron in three steps:

1. register on the test environment;
2. send 10 test messages: 5 departures and 5 arrivals;
3. then register on the Chiron production environment.

Access credentials must be shared with the IT specialist or prestataire informatique who implements the Chiron connection.

Many operators underestimate this step: obtaining the licence is administrative, but Chiron also requires a reliable technical connection. See the guide Chiron registration step by step.

11. Adding or modifying a vehicle in Bruges

To add, modify or remove a vehicle, you must follow procedures linked to Centaurus 2020.

The Flemish government states that adding a vehicle to a licence is done via Centaurus, and each vehicle must display two visible licence cards in the vehicle.

In Bruges, vehicle documents are particularly important: insurance, technical inspection, conformity certificate, registration certificate, proof of vehicle availability and test documents may be required depending on the type of operation.

12. Checklist before applying for your taxi licence in Bruges

Before submitting your application, check:

Operator

• Is your company or sole trader activity correctly registered?
• Do you have a recent criminal record extract?
• Are you compliant with tax obligations?
• Are you compliant with social security obligations?
• Do you have proof of Dutch language knowledge?
• Is your file ready in Centaurus 2020?

Vehicle

• Do you have proof of purchase, leasing or vehicle availability?
• Is the vehicle insured?
• Is the technical inspection in order?
• Is the conformity certificate available?
• Is the registration certificate ready?
• Does the vehicle have documents for the planned service type?

Driver

• Does the driver have a bestuurderspas?
• Is the criminal record extract model 596.1-28 recent?
• Is medical selection shown on the licence?
• Is the Dutch level proven?
• Is wheelchair transport training required?

Standplaatstaxi

• Do you want to use Bruges taxi ranks?
• Have you applied for a machtiging standplaatstaxi?
• Have you prepared the specific documents?
• Do you accept behaviour, attire and electronic payment obligations?
• Do your drivers know the local rules?

Chiron

• Can your software or equipment transmit trips?
• Have you registered on the test environment?
• Have the 10 test messages been sent?
• Have Chiron credentials been shared with your prestataire informatique?
• Are you ready for production?

Conclusion

Bruges is useful for taxi operators because local procedures are well documented.

The City details required documents, deadlines, vehicle conditions, the bestuurderspas and the machtiging standplaatstaxi. This lets you prepare a clean file before applying.

Before starting a taxi business in Bruges, 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.

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 Bruges — Vergunning taxibedrijf Brugge
• City of Bruges — Bestuurderspas taxichauffeur
• City of Bruges — Standplaatstaxi regulation (PDF)
• Flemish government — Taxi service licence
• Flemish government — Taxi types and conditions
• Flemish government — Bestuurderspas for taxi drivers
• Flemish government — Chiron trip database
• Centaurus 2020