Executive car with driver
For one to three passengers, or up to eight in a van-type car, a car with driver is the right size. In Germany it is a Mietwagen mit Fahrer: booked in advance, and not a taxi.
How a Mietwagen works
A Mietwagen is a car of no more than nine seats, the driver included, hired as a whole. The hirer sets the purpose, destination and course of the trip. It works only on bookings that reach the operator's office or home, so nobody can flag one down in the street. The operator records each booking and keeps the record for a year.
After a job, the car goes back to its base without delay, unless the next job was booked before or during the current one. In large rural districts, the licensing authority may allow other parking places instead, at least 15 km from the main base. For you, this means one thing: book the return ride or the waiting time together with the outward ride.
Seats and luggage
- Seats: 1-3 (up to 8 passengers in a van-type car)
- Luggage: Boot space; choose a larger vehicle for more passengers or luggage
Rules and equipment on board
- A car with driver hired in Germany is a Mietwagen under the PBefG: a car (up to nine seats including the driver) hired as a whole, with the hirer setting the purpose, destination and course of the trip
- A Mietwagen may only carry out bookings received at the operator's business premises or home, so it cannot be hailed in the street like a taxi; the operator records each booking and keeps the record for one year
- After a job, a Mietwagen must return to its operator's base without delay, unless it received a new booking before or during the trip
- In municipalities covering a large area (Gemeinden mit großer Flächenausdehnung), the licensing authority may allow other parking places (Abstellorte) instead of a return to base, at least 15 km from the main base
- Taxis are a separate regime: the way a Mietwagen is booked, kept ready and advertised must not be confusable with a taxi, and it may not use taxi signs or markings
- The driver holds a passenger-transport permit (Fahrerlaubnis zur Fahrgastbeförderung), issued for up to five years
Not a taxi
Taxis are a separate regime. A Mietwagen must not be confusable with a taxi in the way it is booked, kept ready or advertised, and it carries no taxi sign. The driver holds a passenger-transport permit (Fahrerlaubnis zur Fahrgastbeförderung), issued for up to five years.
Alongside a coach group
Many groups book one car next to the coach: for a speaker who arrives on a later flight, a guest of honour, or the bride and groom. The car and the coach can be booked in one request.
Questions organisers ask
Can the car meet a flight?
Yes, as a pre-booked pick-up. Give the flight number and the terminal on the booking.
Can it carry nine passengers?
No. A car takes up to eight passengers plus the driver. For nine or more, the vehicle is a bus.
Can I hail it in the street like a taxi?
No. A Mietwagen may only carry out bookings received by its operator. Book it in advance, even for a short ride.