Taxi & Transport Glossary
Essential terms from the world of taxi and passenger transport in France.
A
Accessible transport (disabled passengers)
A transport service adapted for wheelchair users or people with reduced mobility. TPMR vehicles have an access ramp and adapted space.
ADS (Parking Authorization)
Administrative authorization issued by the city hall allowing a taxi to park and pick up passengers on public roads. Each municipality has a limited number of ADS licenses.
Approved medical taxi
A taxi that has signed an agreement with the French social security system (CPAM) for patient transport to healthcare facilities. Costs may be covered by health insurance.
B
Breakdown taxi
A taxi service offered to motorists who have broken down or had an accident. The driver picks up the customer at the breakdown location to take them to their destination or the nearest garage.
C
Chauffeur hire / Dedicated driver
A taxi rental service with driver for a set duration (half-day or full day). The customer has the vehicle and driver available for all their trips.
CPAM (Primary Health Insurance Fund)
A social security body that reimburses medical transport costs. To be reimbursed, the trip must be prescribed by a doctor and carried out by an approved transporter.
E
Empty return trip
A trip made by the taxi without passengers to return to its operating area after a long-distance ride. An empty return surcharge may be charged to the customer in certain cases.
F
Fixed fare / Flat rate
A fixed price agreed in advance between the customer and the driver for a given journey. The flat rate does not vary based on traffic or travel time, unlike the meter.
Fixed price
A guaranteed fare for a journey, calculated in advance during booking. The fixed price protects the customer against traffic variations and detours. This is the model offered by TaxiNeo.
I
Independent taxi driver
An independent taxi driver who holds their own license (ADS) and operates their own vehicle. Unlike company employees, an artisan taxi driver is self-employed.
M
Medical transport voucher
A medical prescription allowing healthcare transport costs to be covered by health insurance. The doctor determines the appropriate transport mode (taxi, ambulance, medical shuttle).
P
Parcel delivery ride
A parcel or urgent document delivery service by taxi. The driver makes the trip without a passenger to deliver the parcel to its destination as quickly as possible.
Pickup fee / Base fare
The minimum amount displayed on the meter as soon as the ride begins. In France, the pickup fee is regulated and cannot exceed a ceiling set by prefectural decree.
Professional license card
A mandatory document issued by the prefecture certifying that the driver has passed the taxi exam and is authorized to operate. It must be visible in the vehicle.
R
Rate A
The rate applicable during daytime (7am-7pm) for urban area rides. This is the cheapest rate, with a per-kilometer price regulated by prefectural decree.
Rate B
The rate for nighttime (7pm-7am), Sundays and public holidays, or suburban rides. The per-kilometer price is higher than Rate A.
Rate C
The rate for nighttime suburban rides or empty return trips. This is the highest of the three regulated rates.
Ride / Trip
A journey made by a taxi between a pickup point and a destination. A ride includes the pickup fee, the journey, and potentially waiting time.
S
Shuttle
A regular transport service between two fixed points (e.g., airport-station, hotel-airport). Shuttles can be shared between multiple passengers to reduce cost.
Street hailing / Cruising
The activity of a taxi driving on public roads looking for passengers. Taxis have a monopoly on street hailing, unlike VTCs which can only be booked in advance.
Surcharge
An additional amount that may be applied on top of the meter fare in certain situations: 4th passenger, bulky luggage, pets, advance booking.
T
Taxi booking app
A mobile application for booking a taxi in a few clicks, with geolocation, price estimation, and real-time tracking. TaxiNeo is a fixed-price taxi booking app.
Taxi dispatch center
A booking center that receives customer calls and dispatches rides to affiliated drivers. Radio dispatch centers are gradually being replaced by digital applications.
Taxi light / Roof sign
A light signal on the roof of the taxi indicating availability. Green = available, red = occupied, orange = approaching. This device is mandatory for every taxi in service.
Taxi regulations
The set of laws and decrees governing taxi operations in France. Regulations cover fares, operating conditions, driver obligations, and passenger rights.
Taxi stand / Taxi rank
A designated area on public roads where taxis can park while waiting for passengers. Stands are distributed across the city according to a plan established by the city hall.
Taximeter
A mandatory device in every taxi that calculates the fare based on distance traveled and waiting time. The taximeter is certified and regularly inspected.
Transfer
A taxi ride between a transport hub (airport, train station) and a destination (hotel, home). Transfers are often offered at a fixed price by booking platforms.
V
VTC (Chauffeured Car Service)
A passenger transport service with driver, available exclusively by advance booking. Unlike taxis, VTCs cannot cruise for passengers or use taxi stands.
W
Waiting time rate
The rate charged when the taxi is stationary at the customer's request (waiting outside a shop, traffic jam). The price is calculated by the taximeter based on elapsed time.