You need a permit to transport passengers commercially in a rental car. If you want to increase the number of vehicles in your rental car business, you must apply to the relevant traffic authority for an extension of your permit.

• The applicant, as a business owner, already holds a rental car permit.
• The safety and operational capacity of the business are guaranteed.
• There are no facts indicating that the applicant, as a business owner, or the person appointed to manage the business is unreliable.
• The applicant, as a business owner, or the person appointed to manage the business is professionally qualified.
• The applicant and the business owners commissioned by the applicant to provide transportation services have their registered office or branch in Germany as defined by commercial law.

In the case of legal entities under public law, these requirements are deemed to be met.

To obtain an extension of your license for the commercial transportation of passengers using multiple rental cars, follow these steps:

• Submit the appropriate application to your local transportation authority and include all required documents with the application.
• The authority will process your application and conduct the necessary hearings. 
• You will receive a notice of the decision regarding the extension of the rental car permit. If applicable, you will be issued the permit(s).

• Appeal. For more information on how to file an appeal, please refer to the notice regarding your application.
• Lawsuit before the Administrative Court

Deadlines only begin to run once a complete application has been submitted. If your application is complete, a decision will be made within three months. The deadline can be extended by three months if necessary.

The processing time may vary between the relevant transport authorities. The processing time may depend, among other things, on whether all documents relevant to the decision have been submitted or whether additional documents are required.

The transport authority of the respective independent city or district is responsible.

• Valid Permit
• Application for Extension of the Rental Car Permit (Last name, first name of the applicant; residence and business address; for individuals, date of birth and place of birth; number of vehicles, vehicle type, passenger capacity of the vehicles to be used)
• Certificate of Equity / Supplementary Certificate (form pursuant to Section 2(2)(2) / Section 2(3) of the Ordinance on Access to the Profession of Road Passenger Transport [PBZugV]), not older than 3 months
• Certificate of good standing from the tax office, the municipality, the social security agency, and the workers’ compensation association, not older than 3 months (from the company, the legal representative, and the person appointed to manage the business / transportation management)
• Certificate of Good Conduct for submission to the authorities pursuant to § 30(5) BZRG
• Extract from the Central Trade Register pursuant to Section 150(5) of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO) (for companies)
• Extract from the Driver Fitness Registry (FAER)

General documents:

• List of vehicles; if applicable, rental vehicles with rental agreement or leasing list
• Proof of liability insurance for rental cars, including the vehicle risk code (WKZ)
• Proof of installation of an alarm system or an exemption permit pursuant to Section 25 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Regulations (BOKraft)
• Proof of installation of a mileage counter
• Business registration, unless already on file with the authorities

The amount of the fees depends on: 

• the number of vehicles and
• the duration of the permit.

Cash/EC

Forms available: Yes
Written application required: No
Informal application accepted: Yes
In-person appearance required: No