If you would like to set up a bus, taxi or private hire business, you need a licence from the competent authority. One of the requirements is your professional competence, which you usually prove by means of an examination. In Germany, you take the examination at your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).

Depending on the type of your enterprise, you take the examination either for taxi and private hire businesses or for bus operation.

In the examination, you must prove that you have the required legal and business knowledge, knowledge of technical standards and applicable regulations, and knowledge of road safety. The guidelines for the preparation of the exam contained in the link in the 'further information' section provide an overview (in German) of the required knowledge.

It is advisable to prepare in depth for the exam, for instance by attending a preparational course or through intense self-study.

However, these are not legal requirements for registering for the examination.

The examination consists of two written parts and possibly an oral part. The result is decided by an examination board.

You must achieve at least 50 percent of the total marks in both of the written parts to be entered for the oral exam. If you also achieve at least 50 percent of the total marks in the oral exam, and your overall score is at least 60 percent of the grand total of marks, you have passed the exam. If you have achieved at least 50 percent of the available marks in both of the written parts and have already achieved at least 60 percent of the grand total of available marks, you are exempted from the oral examination.

In certain cases, a transitional arrangement may allow for your professional competence to be certified without sitting the exam. If you have successfully completed a recognised course of vocational training in the passenger transport sector which began before 4 December 2011, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry will issue a certificate to you upon request without the need to sit the exam.

If you held a managing position in a bus transport company for ten years or more before 2009, you can also be issued a certificate of professional competence without needing to take the exam. Please refer to the information linked in the 'further information' section.

The required professional competence for taxi and private hire transportation can be certified without an examination if you provide evidence that you have worked for at least three years in a relevant company.

If you want to open a bus, cab or hire car company, you need a permit from the relevant authority. One requirement is your professional aptitude, which you usually prove by passing an examination. In Germany, you take the exam at your local Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

Depending on the type of your company, you will take the exam either for cab and hire car transportation or for bus transportation.

In the examination, you must provide evidence of the legal knowledge, commercial principles, knowledge of technical standards and regulations and road safety required to operate your company. You will also find a more detailed list in the orientation framework, which is linked in the further information.

You should prepare intensively for the exam, for example by attending a preparation course or studying intensively on your own. However, there are no legal requirements for registering for the exam.

The examination consists of two written parts and, if applicable, an oral part. The examination result is determined by an examination board.

The examination is an overall examination consisting of two written parts and one oral part. At least 50 percent of the respective score must be achieved in both written parts in order to be admitted to the oral examination. The examination is passed if at least 50 percent of the points have also been achieved in the oral examination and at least 60 percent of the total number of points. Those who have achieved at least 50 percent of the achievable score in both written parts and at least 60 percent of the total score are exempt from the oral examination.

In certain cases, transitional regulations may allow you to be certified as suitable without taking the examination. If you have completed training in the field of passenger transport that began before December 4, 2011, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce will issue you with a certificate upon request, even without taking the examination.

If you had already been working in a managerial position in a bus company for ten years before 2009, you can also be issued a certificate of aptitude on application without taking the examination. See also the information sheet in the further information section.

You can also prove your professional aptitude for taxi/rental car transport without taking an examination if you can provide evidence of at least three years' work in a corresponding company.