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More about taxis
There are currently 51,232 taxis in France
Taxis operate under the authority of the Mayor of each town.
They are divided into four very distinct categories, those driven by:
• self-employed drivers (approx. 80%)
• independent lessees (approx. 11%)
• independent members of cooperatives (approx. 6%)
• employed drivers (approx. 3%).
There are 16,623 Paris taxis, which operate under the authority and supervision of the Chief of Police of the City of Paris.
A taxi driver needs first to pass a professional examination, following which the Police authority issues a certificate
authorizing him/her to drive a taxi, and to hold a parking permit acquired from a self-employed driver or company that is ceasing operations.
Paris taxis may only charge the fares set by the Police authority. These fares take both journey time and length into account. The fare for a
journey is calculated automatically by the meter inside the vehicle. Every year, fares
are raised by ministerial decree.
