75 Percent of Taxi Drivers in Russia May Lose Their Jobs Starting September 1

In Russia, 75 percent of taxi drivers have not met the new requirements and may lose their jobs starting September 1. On that date, taxi drivers must secure mandatory insurance for civil liability towards passengers. However, to qualify, they must first obtain a permit to operate a taxi. Currently, only 25 percent of drivers, primarily from Moscow, possess this permit.

This information was highlighted in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin from a union representing users of digital platforms, as reported by Izvestia.

The organization has requested a postponement of the enforcement of the new regulations. To obtain a taxi operating permit, several conditions must be met:

• The vehicle must be painted in colors specified for taxis by the state of a particular subject.
• The driver must carry a medical and technical inspection report on a daily basis.

According to the Transport Ministry, only 21,000 self-employed individuals, or 1.5 percent of the total, have received such a permit. Out of the taxi fleet workers, which number around 600,000, 60 percent, primarily from Moscow, are affected.