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

In this case, a car and an app are not enough. In Flanders, taxi activity is governed by regulations on individueel bezoldigd personenvervoer, often abbreviated IBP.

In Ghent, you need to understand four elements:

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

The City of Ghent explains that a taxi driver or operator may fall under several categories: straattaxi, standplaatstaxi, ceremonieel vervoer or openbaarvervoertaxi.

1. What is a taxi licence in Ghent?

In Flanders, the official term is vergunning voor diensten Individueel Bezoldigd Personenvervoer.

In practice, this is the authorisation required to operate a paid passenger transport service.

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.

In Ghent, the City reminds operators that to run a taxi you need in particular:

• a vergunning IBP;
• City of Ghent authorisation if you want to use a taxi rank;
• a bestuurderspas for the driver.

2. Where to apply for a vergunning IBP in Ghent?

Applications go through Centaurus 2020, the Flemish portal for taxi licences, vehicles and driver cards.

The licence is valid for up to 5 years. In Ghent, the City also states that:

• there is one licence per operator;
• all forms of operation are covered on a single licence;
• the application is made to the municipality where the operating office is established;
• operations may take place throughout the Flemish Region.

3. What conditions apply for a taxi licence in Ghent?

The City of Ghent lists several conditions for applying for a taxivergunning.

Key points include:

• no certain criminal convictions;
• registration with the CBE/KBO with an activity linked to paid passenger transport;
• compliance with the Dutch language requirement;
• vehicle ownership or proof of a leasing, hire-purchase or finance lease contract;
• compliance with wages, social contributions and taxes.

Important for operators: this is not just a formality. Ghent checks that the activity, vehicle, operator and documents are consistent.

4. Straattaxi in Ghent: how does it work?

A straattaxi is a taxi that does not depend on a city-assigned taxi rank.

For straattaxi's in Flanders, the Flemish government states in particular that:

• bookings and payments must be organised digitally, e.g. via an app;
• the operator sets its own fare;
• the fare must be clearly visible;
• the service may be offered throughout Flanders;
• a taximeter or taxilicht is not required;
• without a passenger or booking, the vehicle may not be within 200 metres of a rank reserved for standplaatstaxi's.

This is often the category closest to how Uber/Bolt operate.

5. Standplaatstaxi in Ghent: the key local point

Ghent is particularly relevant because the City applies specific rules for standplaatstaxi's.

To use Ghent's taxi ranks, a vergunning IBP alone is not enough. You must also apply for a machtiging standplaatstaxi from the City of Ghent.

This authorisation allows use of the city's taxistandplaatsen.

There is an important limit: standplaatstaxi vehicles are capped at 220 vehicles. As this limit is reached, Ghent operates a waiting list.

Essential point for drivers. Even with a valid IBP licence, you cannot automatically use Ghent's taxi ranks. In Antwerp, the logic is different: it is not possible to apply for a machtiging standplaatstaxi.

6. Conditions for applying for a machtiging standplaatstaxi in Ghent

To apply for a machtiging standplaatstaxi in Ghent, you must already hold a straattaxi licence, or be in a procedure compatible with this application.

The City requires in particular:

• a copy of the identity card;
• a criminal record extract no older than 3 months;
• a completed application form.

The application is free, but rank occupation may be subject to applicable tax or fee regulations.

To join the waiting list, documents must be sent to the City of Ghent taxi unit. The date the file is complete also becomes the waiting list registration date.

7. Fares, taximeter and taxilicht for standplaatstaxi's

The City of Ghent states that a driver with a machtiging standplaatstaxi must apply fares set by the City. A taximeter is mandatory, as is the blue-white taxilicht when the vehicle is on taxi ranks.

This is a major difference from straattaxi.

8. Bestuurderspas in Ghent: mandatory for the driver

The IBP licence covers the operator. The bestuurderspas covers the driver.

In Ghent, applications go through Centaurus 2020. The City also states that drivers domiciled in Ghent can get help from the Mobiliteitsbedrijf taxi unit. See the page Bestuurderspas voor taxibestuurders.

The bestuurderspas is mandatory for taxi drivers in Flanders. The Flemish government states it remains valid for 5 years. Each year, the driver must upload a new criminal record extract in Centaurus. See the official bestuurderspas page.

For Uber or Bolt, the Flemish government is clear: to drive in Flanders you need a Flemish taxi licence, a bestuurderspas, and the vehicle used must be connected to Chiron.

9. Language requirement: Dutch B1

Ghent mentions a minimum Dutch language requirement of level B1 for the taxivergunning.

The Flemish government also states that the level required for the bestuurderspas is Dutch B1, oral and written. A driver may obtain a bestuurderspas with level A2, but must then reach B1 within two years.

Plan ahead, especially for drivers who want to start quickly.

10. Fees in Ghent

The City of Ghent has a fee regulation for IBP licences and bestuurderspassen.

Since 1 January 2020, an annual fee applies to licences for operating an individueel bezoldigd personenvervoer service, plus a one-off fee for issuing a bestuurderspas. See the IBP retributiereglement.

Before submitting a file, check the applicable regulation and the exact amount in force at the time of application.

11. Chiron: the technical obligation after the licence

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

The Flemish government explains that the operator of a taxi service must send trip information to Chiron. Before sending this data, you must register, test the Chiron environment and share access with your IT specialist or prestataire informatique.

The official procedure has three steps:

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

This matters because a licence alone is not enough if the operator cannot transmit trips correctly. See the guide Chiron registration step by step for details with official links.

12. Checklist before applying for a taxi licence in Ghent

Before submitting your application, check:

Operator

• Is your activity correctly registered with the CBE/KBO?
• Do you have the required tax and social security certificates?
• Do you have a recent criminal record extract?
• Do you meet the language requirement?
• Is your file consistent with the type of service you want to operate?

Vehicle

• Do you own the vehicle or have a valid contract?
• Is the vehicle correctly insured?
• Does the vehicle have the required documents?
• Will the vehicle be used as straattaxi, standplaatstaxi, ceremonieel vervoer or openbaarvervoertaxi?

Driver

• Does the driver have a bestuurderspas?
• Is the Dutch level sufficient?
• Is the annual criminal record extract planned?
• Has the medical examination been completed?

Standplaatstaxi in Ghent

• Do you want to use Ghent's taxi ranks?
• Do you need a machtiging standplaatstaxi?
• Have you prepared documents for the waiting list?
• Do you understand that the 220-vehicle limit is already reached?

Chiron

• Can your system transmit trips to Chiron?
• Do you have access to the test environment?
• Have you sent the test messages?
• Can your prestataire informatique connect your activity to Chiron?

Conclusion

In Ghent, the IBP licence is only the starting point. Depending on your model — straattaxi, Uber/Bolt or standplaatstaxi — obligations differ significantly, especially on ranks, fares and equipment.

Start with Centaurus 2020, check the language requirement and prepare a complete file. If you target taxi ranks, plan for the standplaatstaxi waiting list. And from launch, make sure your management tool is ready for Chiron.

FAQ

Official sources

• City of Ghent — Taxi besturen in Gent
• City of Ghent — Machtiging standplaatstaxi
• City of Ghent — Bestuurderspas voor taxibestuurders
• City of Ghent — Retributiereglement IBP
• Flemish government — Taxi service licence
• Flemish government — Taxi types and conditions
• Flemish government — Bestuurderspas for taxi drivers
• Flemish government — Chiron trip database
• Centaurus 2020