Czech Senate backs Czech-language and local knowledge tests for taxi drivers

Czech municipalities could require taxi drivers to demonstrate Czech-language skills or knowledge of local streets under legislation approved by the Senate on Wednesday.

The amendment now goes to the president for signature. It would give municipalities the option of introducing tests through local ordinances, rather than establish an automatic nationwide testing requirement.

The taxi provisions form part of a broader transport bill intended to make more information available about road closures, parking and public transport, including accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

Any Czech-language examination would cover the knowledge needed to work as a taxi driver. Municipalities could also require drivers to demonstrate local geographical knowledge.

The distinction matters for drivers and passengers: Senate approval alone does not mean every taxi driver must immediately sit an exam. Individual municipalities would need to decide whether to use the new power and adopt an ordinance setting out their requirements.

ANO lawmakers presented the provision as a response to what they described as a growing number of drivers from non-EU countries with insufficient Czech-language and road-traffic knowledge. They argued that low-paid work in the sector could come at the expense of service quality and passenger safety.

Those claims were the lawmakers’ stated justification for the measure; the report did not provide figures establishing how widespread the alleged problems are.

As Expats.cz reported after the lower-house vote, the proposal would allow cities to set requirements tailored to taxi services operating locally. Wednesday’s Senate decision moves that proposal to the final stage of the legislative process.

The amendment’s main purpose is to broaden the information available through the National Traffic Information System, managed by the Road and Motorway Directorate, known as ŘSD.

State and municipal police, road administration authorities and firefighters would have to provide current information without delay. Failure to meet the reporting obligation could carry a fine of up to CZK 100,000.

Alongside current traffic conditions, the system would provide information about road signs, temporary traffic arrangements and selected parking facilities.

It would also incorporate public transport access points, including railway stations and platforms, bus stops, ports and airports. Records would cover accessibility and access routes, potentially helping passengers assess whether a connection meets their mobility needs.

Owners or administrators of roads would have to supply information about bus-stop locations, with comparable duties applying to other transport infrastructure.

Senators declined to add a separate proposal lowering the maximum permitted weight of loaded trucks from 48 to 40 metric tons. Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik opposed the reduction, as did his predecessor Martin Kupka.

STAN senators nevertheless intend to pursue the lower truck-weight limit through separate legislation, Senator Ondřej Lochman said.