Apply for calibration of cabs and rental cars
If you would like to have the taximeter of your cab or the odometer in your rental car calibrated, you must submit a corresponding calibration application to the competent authority. You can find out more here.
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Basic information
To ensure that passengers can trust the fare determined by the taximeter or odometer, the competent calibration authority checks the correct functioning of the taximeter in all cabs every year. The odometers in rental cars are checked every two years. This is required by law due to the calibration obligation of these devices.
In addition, a taximeter, fare indicator or odometer must always be calibrated after
- reprogramming or pulse adjustment of an installed device or
- repair/repair of an installed, already conformity-assessed or calibrated measuring device or
- replacement of a measuring device in existing cabs or rental cars without a change in vehicle use (cab remains cab or rental car remains rental car).
Calibration takes place on the chassis dynamometer and the measuring section and can be carried out throughout the year.
You must apply for calibration at the relevant calibration office. To extend the calibration period, you must apply for calibration at least 10 weeks before it expires and have done what is necessary on your part, i.e. presented the vehicle to the calibration office during the usual opening hours.
As the user of a meter, you are obliged to have the cab or hire car presented for calibration by a suitable driver. During the test on the chassis dynamometer, the driver must be able to drive into the dynamometer, lower and steer the cab or hire car as the driver for the entire duration of the calibration. The method of metrological testing is determined by the responsible verification office.
For the calibration or conformity assessment and use of taximeters and odometers, it is necessary that the vehicle is equipped with the permitted tires. In the past, the permitted tire sizes were entered in the vehicle registration certificate and the vehicle registration document. These were replaced by the registration certificate I and II.
Requirements
Cabs and hire cars can only be calibrated if they meet the essential requirements of the Measurement and Calibration Ordinance.
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Procedure
As a user of taximeters or odometers, you must apply for the calibration of your cab or hire car informally in writing. You then arrange an appointment with the responsible verification office.
As the user of a measuring device, you are obliged to have the cab or rental car presented for calibration by a suitable driver. During the test on the chassis dynamometer, the driver must be able to drive into the dynamometer, lower and steer the cab or hire car as the driver for the entire duration of the calibration. The method of the metrological test is determined by the competent verification office.
If the cab or hire car complies with the requirements during the metrological test, an official marking for a further calibration period indicates that it is permitted for use in commercial traffic.
More information
If you use your calibrated cab or your calibrated rental car with tires that are not approved for the vehicle, this is not in accordance with the regulations, as the accuracy of the measurement is not guaranteed. This is an administrative offense.
Legal remedy:
- Administrative court action
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Necessary Documents
- Registration certificate I
- Proof of tire size
- Registration certificate I
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Competent Department
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Eichamt des Landes Bremen
- (0421) 361-8244
- (0421) 361-8248
- Häschenstraße 14, 28199 Bremen
- Website
- office
@eichamt. bremen. de
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Fees / Costs
The fees charged for the calibration of cabs and hire cars are regulated nationwide by the Ordinance on Fees for Metrology and Calibration (Mess- und Eichgebührenverordnung - MessEGebV). These can be found under "Legal bases".
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Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
10 weeks before expiry of the calibration period beginning with commissioning (calibration validity taximeter 1 year, odometer 2 years), you must submit a calibration application as a meter user (cab or hire car company) to an operating office (calibration office).
How long does it take to process
As a rule, the Weights and Measures Office can suggest an appointment for a calibration within 14 days. It may take a little longer at the turn of the year.
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct. 23.01.2026