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In a recent judgment, the Supreme Administrative Court confirmed that even a circular sightseeing ride in a vehicle designed to carry up to nine persons (including the driver) constitutes road transport and may therefore fall within the definition of a taxi service. What matters is not that the ride starts and ends at the same point, but that passengers are actually being transported as part of the service.
A case from practice
The decision concerned circular rides through the historic centre of Prague in pseudo-historic vehicles. The operator argued that this did not qualify as a taxi service because customers merely ride in a loop and return to the point of departure, also pointing to the historical character of the vehicles. The Supreme Administrative Court rejected this interpretation.
Three key conclusions of the Court
- Transport occurs whenever persons, animals or goods are moved from one place to another;
- Road transport involves the use of transport means (vehicles);
- Taxi service is a residual category of passenger road transport for third parties using so-called small vehicles. Any passenger transport by small vehicles for third parties that does not fall under specifically regulated categories, such as scheduled passenger transport, international shuttle transport or occasional passenger road transport, qualifies as a taxi service.
What does this mean in practice for the travel industry?
Do you offer sightseeing rides or vintage car tours to your clients? Are you transporting passengers and are you certain that you hold the correct road transport licence? If not, you may be exposed to fines. Should you need assistance in obtaining the relevant licence, we will be happy to help. Do not hesitate to contact us.
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