A new era has begun in the taxi transport sector in Croatia. The process of issuing and delivering new, mandatory cards for taxi drivers has been officially launched, and the first card has already been handed over to its owner, marking the start of the implementation of a reform aimed at modernizing and raising the standards in this industry. The initiative, which is the result of amendments to the Road Transport Act, aims to introduce more order, transparency, and security for both the drivers themselves and the users of their services.

From the very beginning of receiving applications, an extremely high level of interest has been noticeable. In just the first seven days, more than one hundred applications were received, which clearly demonstrates the drivers' readiness to adapt to the new regulations and accept more clearly defined criteria for performing their job. This positive response is crucial for the success of the entire transition process that lies ahead.

Regulatory framework and deadlines

The new provisions of the act began to apply on December 4, 2024, and all active taxi drivers have a legal obligation to obtain their card no later than June 3, 2026. After this date, performing taxi services without possessing a valid and visibly displayed card in the vehicle will be a legal offense. The company AKD d.o.o., which has been entrusted with the public authority for this process, is actively processing all received applications and invites all drivers not to wait until the last moment to avoid the expected crowds before the end of the legal deadline.

This project represents an important step in broader efforts to improve the entire public passenger transport system. By introducing new rules, the aim is to strengthen business transparency, raise the level of service professionalism, and, most importantly, significantly contribute to better passenger protection and safety. Given that there are about 27,000 taxi drivers operating in Croatia, this change affects a significant part of the service sector.

Functionality and significance of the driver card

The taxi driver card is not just a formality, but an official document that every driver must have displayed in a visible place inside the vehicle while driving. This allows passengers to easily verify the driver's identity at any time. On the other hand, it facilitates and speeds up the inspection process for inspectors and other authorized officials. One of the key elements of the card is the QR code. By scanning this code, it is possible to instantly check the card's validity and access key driver data, which drastically reduces the potential for misuse and undeclared work. This directly raises the level of security and builds greater user confidence in the entire taxi transport system.

The headquarters of the company AKD d.o.o. is in the city of Zagreb, and drivers from all over Croatia, including those who plan to work in Zagreb, can submit their application. The availability of accommodation in Zagreb can be a facilitating circumstance for those who come to submit their documents in person.

Conditions for obtaining the card

In order to be eligible for the issuance of a taxi driver card, a person must meet several precisely defined conditions. The first condition is age – the person must be at least 21 years old. It is also necessary to hold a valid category B driving license. In addition, the candidate must have passed an initial qualification exam according to a special program for category B drivers or, alternatively, have completed formal education for the profession of a driver.

One of the most important criteria is also "good repute." This condition is verified by checking the criminal record, which the card issuer, AKD, does ex officio. This ensures that persons who have been finally convicted of serious criminal offenses, especially those against life and body, sexual freedom, or property, cannot perform passenger transport activities, which further protects the safety of citizens.

Application procedure and costs

The application process is maximally simplified and adapted to the digital age. Drivers can submit their application electronically, using the eTaksi application within the e-Građani system, available at the web address etaksi.akd.hr. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, the application can also be submitted in person, by coming to the AKD office at Savska cesta 28, on the first floor, in Zagreb. The third option is to send the complete documentation by mail to the same address. Many drivers who are not from the capital city and come to submit their application often also look for accommodation in Zagreb.

Two options are defined in terms of price. The regular procedure for issuing the card takes up to 30 working days from the moment of receiving complete and correct documentation. The fee for this procedure is 80.00 euros if the card is picked up in person, or 85.50 euros if the driver opts for delivery to their home address. For those who need the card in a shorter period, there is also an expedited procedure. In this case, the card is issued within three working days, and the fee for personal pickup is 150.00 euros, while the price with delivery included is 155.50 euros.

All additional and more detailed information about the procedure itself, the necessary documents, and conditions can be found on the official website dedicated to transport documents, at the address https://prometni-dokumenti.akd.hr/hr/kartice-autotaksi-vozaca.