A large-scale nationwide inspection of taxi services has begun in Slovakia. Law enforcement officers, immigration police, and labor inspectors are identifying traffic violators, verifying the legality of drivers’ employment, and checking the legal status of foreign nationals in the country.
The start of the multi-day raids was announced at a special press conference by Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštók, Police Chief Jana Maškarová, and her deputy, Rastislav Polakovič. The initiative is aimed at improving passenger safety and reducing the number of traffic accidents.
What exactly are law enforcement officers checking?
The inspections cover both the technical and legal aspects of taxi drivers’ work, as well as their compliance with traffic rules:
Documents and driver’s card: possession of a valid license (preukaz vodiča taxislužby), which must be displayed in a place visible to passengers, and the vehicle’s registration in the official taxi registry.
Safe driving: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, and failing to maintain a safe following distance.
Common traffic violations: parking in unauthorized areas, driving in public transit lanes (bus pruh), ignoring traffic signs, and failing to stop at bus stops.
Checks on Foreign Nationals: Units of the immigration police (cudzinecká polícia) verify the grounds for staying in the Slovak Republic and the legality of employment.
Labor relations: The Labor Inspectorate (inšpektorát práce) investigates cases of illegal employment, violations of working-hour records, and undeclared employment.
Statistics and Hard Facts: Why Is This Important?
According to police data, in the first 8 months of this year, 47 traffic accidents involving taxis were recorded in Slovakia, of which 27 were caused by taxi drivers.
In total, nearly 46,000 taxi driver licenses have been issued in the country (of which about 19,000 were issued since the beginning of 2023).
85% of taxi drivers in Slovakia are Slovak citizens, while the remaining 15% are citizens of third countries, the vast majority of whom are Ukrainian citizens.
Precisely because of the rapid increase in the number of new licenses and the recruitment of foreign workers, the Ministry of the Interior emphasizes the need for systematic monitoring of compliance with Slovak law.
Advice for Passengers and Drivers
For passengers: Check to see if the taxi driver’s ID card is displayed on the dashboard. If the vehicle lacks the appropriate identification or the driver behaves suspiciously, you have the right to refuse the ride.
For foreign drivers: Make sure your residence permit, employment contract, and taxi driver’s card are valid, and that the vehicle is properly registered to provide taxi services.
