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Taxi Operations, Laws & Regulations, Taximeter Use, Customer Service, and Barrier-Free Care

Automobile Transportation · 自動車運送業 · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Role of Taxi Services, Class 2 Driver's License, Driver ID Card, and Basic Etiquette

Under the Road Transport Act, the taxi and hire-car industry is classified as 'General Passenger Motor Vehicle Transport Business,' a public transport service that charters a vehicle seating fewer than 11 persons under a single contract to carry passengers safely and comfortably to their destination.

To carry fare-paying passengers in commercial service, a driver must hold a 'Class 2 Driver's License (Dai-nishu Menkyo)' rather than a standard Class 1 license (a Class 1 license only permits non-revenue out-of-service driving).

While on duty, you must display your 'Driver Identification Card (Jomuinsho / Untenshasho)' in a location clearly visible to passengers (such as on the front passenger dashboard) and complete required local geography and customer-service training.

Because a taxi welcomes passengers into an enclosed cabin, maintain a clean, neat uniform and personal grooming, and clean, ventilate, and deodorize the interior before leaving the depot.

Always address passengers using polite honorific Japanese ('desu/masu' style) and cheerful greetings, and provide a smooth ride free of sudden starts, hard braking, or sharp steering.

Role of Taxi Services, Class 2 Driver's License, Driver ID Card, and Basic Etiquette

Key points


  • Taxi service carries passengers in vehicles seating fewer than 11 people and requires a 'Class 2 Driver's License'

  • Always display the 'Driver ID Card (Jomuinsho)' in a clearly visible place inside the cabin while on duty

  • Maintain neat grooming and a clean, ventilated cabin, and serve passengers with polite language and smooth driving
WordMeaning
General Passenger Motor Vehicle Transport Business (taxi/hire)
Class 2 driver's license (for commercial passenger transport)
driver identification card (displayed in taxi)
customer hospitality and service

Duty to Accept Carriage (Prohibition of Refusing Passengers) and Lawful Exceptions

Under Article 13 of the Road Transport Act, taxi operators and drivers are strictly prohibited from refusing to accept passengers ('prohibition of passenger refusal / josha kyohi') unless a lawful exception applies.

Refusing a passenger because 'the destination is a short distance away,' 'traffic is congested in that direction,' 'I have no small change,' 'loading a wheelchair takes time,' 'the passenger has an assistance dog (guide dog),' or 'the passenger is a foreigner' is an illegal passenger refusal in every case.

Lawful exceptions where a driver may refuse carriage include: (1) when natural disasters or unavoidable events prevent safe transport, and (2) when the passenger demands illegal acts (such as speeding, running red lights, or entering a no-entry street).

A driver may also lawfully refuse when: (3) a passenger is so heavily intoxicated without an attendant that they cannot state a destination, (4) the passenger's attire would severely soil the cabin, (5) the passenger attempts to bring hazardous materials (explosives, gasoline) aboard, or (6) the passenger commits violence or intimidation.

In addition, under Article 20 of the Road Transport Act, carrying a passenger when BOTH the pickup point and the destination lie outside your company's licensed operating zone (eigyo kuiki) is prohibited; politely explain this rule and decline.

Key points


  • Refusing a ride due to short distance, traffic jams, lack of change, or a wheelchair/assistance dog is illegal

  • You may lawfully refuse passengers who demand traffic violations, carry hazmat, or are unattended and too intoxicated to state a destination

  • You cannot accept a trip where both the pickup point and destination lie outside your licensed operating zone
WordMeaning
illegal refusal of a passenger
Road Transport Act
heavily intoxicated person
licensed operating zone / service area

Taximeter and Sign Display Operations (Vacant, Occupied, Pickup, Late-Night, Payment, Out of Service)

A taxi is equipped with a 'taximeter' that calculates approved fares based on both distance and time (time-and-distance system during slow traffic or waiting) and a 'status indicator sign (super sign)' visible from outside.

Display 'Vacant (Kusha—red display)' while cruising for passengers or waiting at a taxi stand, and press the meter into 'Occupied / Hired (Jissha / Chinso)' when the passenger boards, confirms the destination, and you depart.

Display 'En Route to Pickup (Geisha)' when heading to a radio- or app-dispatched pickup, and 'Late-Night Surcharge (Warimashi)' during the 20% surcharge hours from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

As soon as you arrive at the destination and stop safely, press the 'Payment (Shiharai)' button on the taximeter to lock the fare. Leaving the meter in 'Occupied (Jissha)' during payment so the time-based fare ticks up mid-transaction causes serious customer complaints.

Whenever taking a meal break, refueling (filling LPG, etc.), returning to the depot at the end of a shift, or experiencing a breakdown, always switch the sign to 'Out of Service (Kaiso)' so pedestrians do not hail you by mistake.

Key points


  • Display 'Kusha' when vacant, 'Geisha' for dispatch pickups, 'Warimashi' from 22:00 to 05:00, and 'Kaiso' on breaks or returning to depot

  • Press 'Shiharai (Payment)' immediately upon stopping at the destination so the time meter does not tick up during payment

  • Failing to engage the taximeter when carrying passengers is a serious violation of the Road Transport Act
WordMeaning
vacant taxi (available for hire)
en route to customer pickup
late-night surcharge (22:00–05:00)
out of service / returning to depot (kaiso)

Boarding/Alighting Safety (Power Door Operation), Seatbelt Request, and Route Confirmation

When picking up or dropping off passengers on the street, avoid no-stopping zones such as intersections, crosswalks, and bus stops; signal left in advance, pull close to the left curb, and come to a complete stop.

Before opening the rear-left automatic door, always check both the left side mirror and over your left shoulder with your own eyes to confirm that no bicycle, moped, or pedestrian is passing on the left ('preventing dooring accidents').

When closing the door as well, visually verify that the passenger's fingers, feet, umbrella, or coat hem are clear before closing.

Once the passenger is aboard, greet them politely ('Thank you for riding with us. Where may I take you today?'), repeat the destination back for confirmation, and check their preferred route (local roads vs. toll/expressway).

Before pulling out, because Article 71-3 of the Road Traffic Act mandates seatbelt use in all seats including the rear seats, politely ask the passenger: 'For your safety, please fasten your seatbelt.'

Key points


  • Always check the left mirror and look directly over your shoulder for bicycles/mopeds before opening the rear-left automatic door

  • Repeat the destination back to confirm it upon boarding, and ask about the preferred route and toll/expressway use

  • Seatbelts are mandatory in all seats including the rear; always remind passengers to buckle up before departing
WordMeaning
driver-operated automatic door
direct visual check (looking over shoulder)
repeating back for confirmation
toll road / expressway

Serving Elderly Passengers, Passengers with Disabilities, Assistance Dogs, and UD Taxis

'Universal Design Taxis (UD Taxis)' featuring low floors, wide door openings, boarding ramps, and grab handles are deployed nationwide, and drivers must be proficient in setting up the wheelchair ramp and securing the wheelchair tie-down belts.

When assisting a passenger using a wheelchair, never push or lift the wheelchair without asking first; always ask 'May I assist you?' to confirm how they would like help, and once aboard, firmly lock the wheelchair brakes and fasten the wheelchair tie-downs and seatbelt.

When guiding a passenger with a visual impairment, never grab or pull their white cane or arm; stand half a step ahead so they can lightly hold your elbow or shoulder, and when boarding, guide their hand to the upper door frame (roof edge) and seat cushion so they do not bump their head.

For passengers with hearing impairments or foreign visitors, use written notes (hitsudan), point-and-speak cards, translation apps, and map screens to communicate destinations and fares clearly.

Under the 'Act on Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons,' guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs ('assistance dogs / hojoken') are not pets—refusing to allow an assistance dog aboard a taxi is strictly prohibited by law.

Serving Elderly Passengers, Passengers with Disabilities, Assistance Dogs, and UD Taxis

Key points


  • Always ask 'May I assist you?' first to confirm how elderly or disabled passengers would like help

  • Never pull a blind passenger's white cane; when boarding, guide their hand to the top of the door frame and the seat surface

  • Refusing carriage to a passenger accompanied by an assistance dog (guide, service, or hearing dog) is prohibited by law
WordMeaning
Universal Design Taxi (UD Taxi)
assistance dog for persons with physical disabilities
white cane (used by visually impaired persons)
communication by writing notes

Fare & Toll Settlement (Issuing Receipts) and Preventing Lost Property Inside the Cab

Upon arriving at the destination and switching the meter to 'Payment (Shiharai),' clearly state the total amount—combining the metered fare with any applicable expressway tolls or pickup fees—and process the payment.

For cash payments, state the amount received out loud on the spot (e.g., 'I have received 10,000 yen') and count out the change together with the 'receipt (ryoshusho)' as you hand them to the passenger.

For credit cards, transit IC cards, QR code payments, or taxi vouchers, verify the payment completion tone, slip printout, or required signature, and hand the customer copy and receipt to the passenger.

As the passenger alights after payment, always turn around to visually check the rear seat and floor and ask, 'Please make sure you have all your belongings' (smartphones, wallets, and umbrellas are frequently left behind).

If you find lost property (ishitsubutsu) inside the cab after a passenger has left, never open it yourself or take it home; immediately report it to your depot's Operation Manager and turn it in to the company or a police box (koban).

Key points


  • For cash payments, repeat the amount received out loud and hand over change and the receipt while verifying with the customer

  • As passengers alight, visually check the rear seat and floor and always remind them to check for forgotten items

  • If lost property is found in the cab, immediately report to the Operation Manager and turn it in to the company or police
WordMeaning
receipt
change (returned to customer)
lost property / forgotten item
police box (koban)

Taxi Crime Prevention (Security Partition & SOS Light) and Passenger Medical Emergencies

Because taxis handle cash and operate at night or in quiet areas, they are equipped with crime-prevention devices including a 'security partition board (bohan board)' between the front and rear seats, an interior camera, an emergency alarm, and a rooftop 'SOS crime-prevention light (andon)' that flashes bright red in an emergency.

Before leaving the depot, confirm the location and operation of the emergency switch near your foot or hand, and store cash takings out of sight in a secure place.

If you encounter a robbery or assault inside the cab, prioritize your own life and physical safety above all else: do not grapple recklessly with the perpetrator, activate the emergency switch (flashing the rooftop SOS light and alerting dispatch), escape to safety, and call 110.

Conversely, if you spot another taxi driving with its rooftop light flashing red or displaying 'SOS,' recognize that an emergency is occurring inside that cab—note its license plate number and direction of travel and call 110 immediately.

If a passenger falls suddenly ill while aboard (loss of consciousness, severe chest pain, etc.), stop immediately in a safe place, call 119 for an ambulance, provide first aid, and report to your Operation Manager.

Key points


  • Know how to operate the security partition, interior camera, and emergency SOS rooftop light switch, and keep cash out of sight

  • In a robbery, prioritize your life, activate the emergency SOS light, evacuate to safety, and call 110

  • Call 110 immediately if you see another taxi flashing its rooftop SOS light, and stop and call 119 if a passenger falls suddenly ill
WordMeaning
security partition board
rooftop taxi lantern / company sign light (andon)
emergency alarm / alert device
fare proceeds / cash takings

Taxi: Operations and Customer Service

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Official references