Taxi License Costs: What to Check Before Buying

02/04/2025
Nombre de vues: 11,661

Taxi License Costs: Buying, Leasing and Business Planning

Considering a taxi business? This guide explains which costs to investigate before buying or leasing an authorization to operate. There is no single national resale price: compare documented local offers and build your own business plan.

How should you assess taxi license costs?

Distinguish the professional driver card from the taxi operating authorization (ADS). For an acquisition, check the authorization’s transferability and the scope of the proposed transaction.

Cost to investigate	What to request
Acquisition	Written offer, transferability checks and transaction scope
Lease	Monthly rent, included services and termination terms
Vehicle and operation	Insurance, maintenance, energy, equipment and financing quotations

Ask the competent authority to confirm the rules applicable to the specific authorization before making a commitment.

Why such price differences?

The value of a license depends on several factors:

Local demand (population, tourism, economic activity)
private chauffeur competition
CPAM agreement (patient transport)
Existing customer portfolio
Possibility of working at airports or major railway stations

“It’s a bit like real estate: location is everything.”

Can I rent a license rather than buy one?

Yes, license leasing is a flexible way to get started:

Rental advantages

No heavy initial investment
Confirm the administrative and operational steps before setting a start date.
Check whether a customer portfolio is actually included.

Disadvantages

Monthly rent and additional costs: obtain a detailed written quotation.
No recoverable capital
Dependence on the owner

Request a written lease proposal detailing the vehicle, maintenance, insurance, monthly payments and termination terms.

Read also: Becoming a private chauffeur: training, practicalities and procedures

How do I get a taxi license?

Three options:

Purchase on the secondary market (transfer between professionals)
Leasing via a management contract
Apply for a free ADS through the competent town hall; Paris applications go through the police prefecture. Waiting-list conditions apply.

Documents required:

Professional taxi card
Certificate of physical fitness
Proof of address
(Optional but valuable) CPAM agreement

Check any planned patient-transport activity separately with the CPAM; do not assume that buying an ADS automatically transfers an agreement.

What profitability can you expect?

Estimate turnover from realistic paid journeys and working hours. Deduct operating costs, financing, taxes and social contributions before assessing income. Factors to investigate include:

City of exercise
Number of hours worked
Agreements (CPAM, airports)
taxi fares (classic fare, packages…)

Keys to profitability

Working evenings/weekends
Target high-density areas (railway stations, airports)
Make the most of long-distance trips (e.g. Chamonix-Geneva)

Purchase vs. rental

Point to compare	Purchase	Lease
Upfront cash	Purchase price and financing costs	Deposit and setup costs under the contract
Ongoing costs	Loan repayments and operating expenses	Rent and expenses allocated by the contract
Exit	Resale subject to applicable conditions; price uncertain	Notice and termination conditions

What are the differences between Taxi and private chauffeur?

How do I get to Geneva Airport from Annecy, and where can I park? Parking lots and shuttles

Optimize your business travel in Courchevel: Why choose a private chauffeur service for your seminars and business trips?

Limousine service in Chamonix: Luxury transfers to ski resorts and hotels

Annecy weather: why choose a private chauffeur in Annecy for your shuttles and transfers in Haute-Savoie and Savoie

Read also: Become a private chauffeur BVTC, the dedicated chartered accountant to secure and develop your business

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Why are licenses so expensive?

Resale prices depend on the proposed transaction and local market. An asking price is neither an official valuation nor a guarantee of future earnings.

Taxi or private chauffeur business: what should you compare?

Check	Taxi business	Private chauffeur business
Driver authorization	Professional taxi card	Professional private chauffeur card
Operating requirements	Check the ADS and its area	Check registration and booking requirements
Business plan	Local demand and full operating costs	Local demand and full operating costs

Compare the full operating requirements and costs of each business model before choosing. Neither model guarantees profitability.

Common mistakes to avoid

Buying a license without a profitability study
Forget about hidden costs: taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc.
Neglecting local private chauffeur competition
Failing to verify transferability and the exact authorizations needed for the planned activity.

Useful resources

In a nutshell

A taxi business requires a documented financial assessment. Test several demand and cost scenarios, including quieter periods, vehicle downtime and financing repayments.

A final word of advice: always carry out a 5-year profitability simulation before signing.

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