The Flemish Government has approved this in principle, according to Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters. The transitional measure that lasted until June 30, 2024 will be extended by one year to give drivers the necessary time.
Taxi drivers in Flanders will have one year longer to meet the Dutch language requirement. The original deadline, set for June 2024, has now been extended to June 2025. This decision was made because many directors have not yet achieved the required language level. This puts them in the difficult position of losing their driver's license, and therefore their job.
To support taxi drivers, a special digital training offer has been set up by two adult education centers. This online language training is focused on the specific language use of the taxi driver and can be scheduled flexibly, making it easy to combine with their work.
"We unfortunately note that a large group of drivers will not be able to reach the required language level by the previously proposed deadline of June 2024. Many taxi drivers are then in danger of losing their driver's license, which means they cannot do their job."
Since the introduction of the new taxi decree in 2020, it is mandatory for taxi drivers in Flanders to master a certain level of the Dutch language. This requirement is linked to the driver's pass, which has been mandatory in the region since July 1, 2020. Drivers must be able to provide a certificate of Dutch language level B1 (target level 2.2) within two years of obtaining their pass.
Taxi drivers' language deadline postponed to 2025, new opportunities for Flemish taxi drivers with language challenges.
This language requirement is part of a broader reform aimed at promoting taxis as an attractive and accessible means of transport. However, according to Minister Peeters, it has emerged that a significant portion of taxi drivers would not reach the required level before the original deadline in June 2024. This could lead to the loss of their driver's pass and therefore their job.
The extension of the transition period offers taxi drivers more time to meet the language requirements. This is especially important for the taxi industry, which is currently struggling to find sufficient staff. To support drivers in achieving the required language level, online language training courses have been available since October 2023. These are offered by two adult education centers (CVOs) and have been specially developed for taxi drivers. The courses focus on specific language use in the taxi industry and can be scheduled flexibly, so that they can be easily combined with work as a taxi driver.
CVO
After approval in principle, this draft decision will be submitted to the Council of State
advice within thirty days. This will then be followed by final approval by the Flemish Government. Since October 2023, taxi drivers who have not yet achieved the required language level can register for an online language training course that two adult education centers (CVOs) have developed tailored to the taxi driver.
