German–English glossary for the taxi and Mietwagen operator exam
Reminder: the exam is held in German only (page 1). Learn each term in German; the English column only helps you understand it.
About 120 terms, in groups. The last column says where the term belongs: the exam area (Law, Business, Vehicles, Safety, Exam procedure), the page of this guide that uses it, and the norm behind it. Rows marked „German quiz“ name exam topics (Anlage 3 PBZugV) that these English pages do not explain; the German quiz covers part of them, not all. Abbreviations: p. = page of this guide; Anlage 3 lists the exam topics (PBZugV). Stand of the law texts: 13 and 14.11.2026.
Exam, papers and authorities
| German term | English meaning | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Unternehmerschein | „operator certificate“: everyday name for the passed Fachkundeprüfung | Exam · p. 1 · § 13 PBefG |
| Fachkundeprüfung | exam on professional expertise, held by the IHK | Exam · p. 2 · § 4 PBZugV |
| fachliche Eignung | professional competence, one of the four permit conditions | Law · p. 4 · § 13 PBefG |
| P-Schein, Taxischein | the driver’s licence extension for carrying passengers | Law · p. 1 · § 48 FeV |
| Fahrerlaubnis zur Fahrgastbeförderung | official name of the P-Schein | Law · p. 1 · § 48 FeV |
| IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammer) | chamber of industry and commerce, which holds the exam | Exam · p. 2 · § 5 PBZugV |
| Prüfungsausschuss | examination board of the IHK | Exam · p. 2 · § 5 PBZugV |
| Prüfungsordnung | the exam regulations of a chamber | Exam · p. 2 · PO IHK Braunschweig |
| Sachgebiet | subject area of the exam | Exam · p. 2 · Anlage 3 PBZugV |
| mündliche Prüfung | oral exam | Exam · p. 2 · § 4 PBZugV |
| Anmeldeschluss | registration deadline | Exam · p. 2 · IHK websites |
| Rücktritt | withdrawal from the exam | Exam · p. 2 · IHK websites |
| Bescheinigung | certificate, here the IHK’s proof that you passed | Exam · p. 2 · § 4 Abs. 6 PBZugV |
| Genehmigung | permit | Law · p. 4 · § 2 PBefG |
| Konzession | everyday word for the Genehmigung | Law · p. 4 · § 13 PBefG |
| Genehmigungsbehörde | licensing authority of the federal state | Law · p. 4 · § 14 PBefG |
| Genehmigungsurkunde | permit certificate that lists your cars | Law · p. 4 · § 17 PBefG |
| Gewerbeanmeldung | business registration | Law · p. 4 · § 14 GewO |
| Betriebssitz | business seat of the company | Law · p. 3 · § 49 PBefG |
| Führungszeugnis | police certificate (criminal-record certificate) | Law · p. 1 · § 48 FeV |
| Fahreignungsregister | driving-licence points register, „Flensburg“ | Law · p. 1 · § 48 FeV |
| Zuverlässigkeit | reliability, „fit and proper“ | Law · p. 4 · § 1 PBZugV |
| Leistungsfähigkeit | capacity of the business, including financial capacity | Law · p. 4 · § 2 PBZugV |
| Neubewerber | new applicant for a taxi permit | Law · p. 4 · § 13 PBefG |
| Nachrang | lower priority among applicants | Law · p. 4 · § 13 PBefG |
| Widerruf | revocation of a permit | Law · p. 4 · § 25 PBefG |
| Ausschlagungsfrist | six weeks in which an heir can disclaim an inheritance | Law · p. 4 · § 1944 BGB |
Laws and ordinances
| German term | English meaning | Where |
|---|---|---|
| PBefG (Personenbeförderungsgesetz) | Passenger Transport Act | Law · p. 3 |
| PBZugV (Berufszugangsverordnung für den Straßenpersonenverkehr) | ordinance on access to the occupation, with the exam rules | Law · p. 2 |
| BOKraft | ordinance on running motor-vehicle companies in passenger transport: equipment and signs | Vehicles · p. 3 |
| FeV (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung) | driving licence ordinance | Law · p. 1 |
| StVO | road traffic regulations | Safety · German quiz |
Forms of transport and duties
| German term | English meaning | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Gelegenheitsverkehr | occasional passenger transport: taxi, Mietwagen, pooled service | Law · p. 3 · § 46 Abs. 2 PBefG |
| Taxi, Taxenverkehr | taxi service | Law · p. 3 · § 47 PBefG |
| Mietwagen | car with driver hired as a whole, not a self-drive rental | Law · p. 3 · § 49 PBefG |
| gebündelter Bedarfsverkehr | pooled on-demand service | Law · p. 3 · § 50 PBefG |
| Vermittler | broker: a platform that arranges rides without carrying anyone | Law · p. 3 · § 1 Abs. 3 PBefG |
| Mobilitätsplattform | mobility platform | Law · p. 3 · § 1 Abs. 3 PBefG |
| Mobilitätsdaten | mobility data that operators and brokers must provide | Law · p. 3 · § 3a PBefG |
| Taxenstand | taxi rank | Law · p. 3 · § 47 Abs. 2 PBefG |
| Pflichtfahrbereich | compulsory-service area where the duty to carry applies | Law · p. 3 · § 47 Abs. 4 PBefG |
| Betriebspflicht | duty to operate | Law · p. 3 · § 21 PBefG |
| Beförderungspflicht | duty to carry passengers | Law · p. 3 · § 22 PBefG |
| Tarifpflicht | duty to charge the set fare | Law · p. 3 · § 39 Abs. 3 PBefG |
| Rückkehrpflicht | duty to return to the business seat | Law · p. 3 · § 49 Abs. 4 PBefG |
| Auftragseingang | receipt of an order, which a Mietwagen operator must record | Law · p. 3 · § 49 Abs. 4 PBefG |
| Abstellort | parking place other than the business seat | Law · p. 3 · § 49 Abs. 5 PBefG |
| Bündelungsquote | pooling quota for pooled service | Law · p. 3 · § 50 Abs. 3 PBefG |
| Mindestbeförderungsentgelt | minimum fare | Business · p. 3 · § 51a PBefG |
| Beförderungsentgelt | fare | Business · p. 3 · § 51 PBefG |
Vehicle and operation
| German term | English meaning | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Taxameter, Fahrpreisanzeiger | taximeter | Vehicles · p. 3 · § 28 BOKraft |
| Wegstreckenzähler | distance meter in a Mietwagen | Vehicles · p. 3 · § 30 BOKraft |
| Hauptuntersuchung (HU) | periodic roadworthiness inspection | Vehicles · p. 3 · StVZO Anlage VIII |
| Taxischild | the roof sign „Taxi“ | Vehicles · p. 3 · § 26 BOKraft |
| Ordnungsnummer | fleet number on the plate in the rear window | Vehicles · p. 3 · § 27 BOKraft |
| Alarmanlage | alarm that the driver triggers from the seat | Vehicles · German quiz · § 25 BOKraft |
| Kinderrückhalteeinrichtung | child restraint system | Safety · German quiz · § 21 StVO |
| technische Sicherheitseinrichtung (TSE) | certified security module in electronic recording systems such as taximeters | Business · German quiz · § 146a AO |
Money, tax and bookkeeping
| German term | English meaning | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Fixkosten | fixed costs, which accrue even when the car stands still | Business · p. 6 · Orientierungsrahmen 2.2 |
| variable Kosten | variable costs, which move with the kilometres driven | Business · p. 6 · Orientierungsrahmen 2.2 |
| Gesamtkosten | total costs: fixed plus variable | Business · p. 6 |
| Anschaffungskosten | purchase cost | Business · p. 6 · § 7 EStG |
| Restwert | residual value at the end of use | Business · p. 6 |
| Nutzungsdauer | useful life | Business · p. 6 · § 7 EStG |
| Abschreibung | depreciation: the purchase cost spread over the useful life | Business · p. 6 · § 7 EStG |
| lineare Abschreibung | straight-line depreciation: the same amount every year | Business · p. 6 · § 7 Abs. 1 EStG |
| kalkulatorische Zinsen | imputed interest on the capital tied up | Business · German quiz · Orientierungsrahmen |
| kalkulatorischer Unternehmerlohn | imputed owner’s salary | Business · German quiz · Orientierungsrahmen |
| Besetztkilometer | occupied kilometres, driven with a paying passenger | Business · p. 6 |
| Auslastungsgrad | utilisation: occupied kilometres divided by all kilometres | Business · p. 6 |
| Deckungsbeitrag | contribution margin: revenue minus variable costs | Business · German quiz |
| Gewinnschwelle | break-even point | Business · German quiz |
| Aufschlag | mark-up added to the costs | Business · p. 6 |
| Marge | margin: profit as a share of revenue | Business · p. 6 |
| Netto, Brutto | net (without VAT), gross (with VAT) | Business · p. 6 · § 12 UStG |
| Umsatz | revenue | Business · p. 6 |
| Gewinn | profit | Business · p. 6 |
| Umsatzsteuer (USt) | value-added tax (VAT) | Business · p. 3 · § 12 UStG |
| Vorsteuer | input VAT: the VAT you paid on purchases | Business · German quiz · § 15 UStG |
| ermäßigter Steuersatz | reduced VAT rate | Business · p. 3 · § 12 Abs. 2 UStG |
| Regelsteuersatz | standard VAT rate | Business · p. 3 · § 12 Abs. 1 UStG |
| Kleinunternehmer | small business exempt from VAT below turnover limits | Business · German quiz · § 19 UStG |
| Kleinbetragsrechnung | small-amount invoice with fewer mandatory items | Business · German quiz · § 33 UStDV |
| Buchführung | bookkeeping | Business · German quiz · § 238 HGB, § 141 AO |
| Einnahmen-Überschuss-Rechnung (EÜR) | profit calculation as receipts minus expenses | Business · German quiz · § 4 Abs. 3 EStG |
| Kassenbuch | cash book | Business · German quiz · § 146 AO |
| Aufbewahrungsfrist | retention period for records | Business · German quiz · § 147 AO |
| Eigenkapital | equity | Business · p. 4 · § 2 PBZugV |
| Eigenkapitalbescheinigung | equity certificate from an auditor, tax adviser or bank | Business · p. 4 · § 2 PBZugV |
| Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung | clearance certificate: no relevant arrears | Business · p. 4 · § 2 PBZugV |
| Zahlungsverkehr | payment transactions | Business · German quiz · Anlage 3 PBZugV |
| Tarif | fare scale set by the federal state | Business · p. 3 · § 51 PBefG |
| Grundpreis, Kilometerpreis, Zeitpreis | base fare, price per kilometre, price per time (waiting) | Business · p. 3 · § 51 Abs. 1 PBefG |
Contracts, liability, insurance, patients
| German term | English meaning | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Beförderungsvertrag | contract of carriage | Law · German quiz · § 631 BGB |
| Werkvertrag | contract for a result, not for effort | Law · German quiz · § 631 BGB |
| Haftungsausschluss | exclusion of liability | Law · German quiz · § 23 PBefG |
| Gefährdungshaftung | strict liability of the vehicle keeper, without fault | Law · German quiz · § 7 StVG |
| höhere Gewalt | force majeure, which excludes strict liability | Law · German quiz · § 7 Abs. 2 StVG |
| Mitverschulden | contributory fault | Law · German quiz · § 254 BGB |
| Haftpflichtversicherung | liability insurance | Business · German quiz · Orientierungsrahmen |
| Kaskoversicherung | own-damage insurance for the vehicle | Business · German quiz · § 81 VVG |
| grobe Fahrlässigkeit | gross negligence | Law · German quiz · § 81 VVG |
| Nutzungsausfall | loss of use of the vehicle after an accident | Law · German quiz · §§ 249, 252 BGB |
| Krankenfahrt | patient transport trip | Law · German quiz · § 60 SGB V |
| Zuzahlung | co-payment by the patient | Law · German quiz · § 61 SGB V |
| Krankenkasse | statutory health insurer | Law · German quiz · SGB V |
Staff and road safety
| German term | English meaning | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Arbeitszeitgesetz | Working Time Act | Law · German quiz · ArbZG |
| Ruhepause | rest break | Law · German quiz · § 4 ArbZG |
| Mindestlohn | statutory minimum wage | Law · German quiz · MiLoG |
| Provision | commission pay | Law · German quiz · § 1 MiLoG |
| Trinkgeld | tip, a voluntary payment by a third party | Law · German quiz · § 107 Abs. 3 GewO |
| Minijob (geringfügige Beschäftigung) | marginal employment below a monthly pay limit | Law · German quiz · § 8 SGB IV |
| Sofortmeldung | immediate notice of a new hire to the pension insurance data office | Law · German quiz · § 28a Abs. 4 SGB IV |
| Mutterschutz | maternity protection | Law · German quiz · MuSchG |
| Grünpfeil | green arrow sign: stop first, then turn right | Safety · German quiz · § 37 StVO |
| Ordnungswidrigkeit | administrative offence, punished by a fine | Safety · German quiz · OWiG |
| Bußgeld, Geldbuße | fine | Safety · German quiz · § 17 OWiG |
| Probezeit | probationary period for new licence holders | Safety · German quiz · § 24c StVG |
| Promille | per mille, the unit for blood alcohol | Safety · German quiz · § 24a StVG |
| Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) | General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) | Safety · German quiz · Art. 2 DSGVO |
Frequently asked questions
Are these the terms of the real exam?
No one outside the IHKs knows the real questions. The terms come from the laws and ordinances behind the exam topics (Anlage 3 PBZugV) and from the IHKs’ guidance paper (Orientierungsrahmen, 01/2022).
Is the list complete?
No. About 120 terms cover the topics this guide and the German quiz use most. The laws themselves are the complete source.
Why is the English column so short?
The exam asks in German. A short English gloss helps you understand a German term; it should not replace the term.
Is Mietwagen the same as a rental car?
Not in this law. A Mietwagen carries you with a driver; you do not drive it yourself (§ 49 Abs. 4 PBefG).
Sources
- The laws and ordinances named in the last column (gesetze-im-internet.de, read on 13 and 14.11.2026)
- Orientierungsrahmen of the IHKs for the exam, version 01/2022 (the newest we found on ihk.de on 13.11.2026)
- Exam regulations of IHK Braunschweig of 27.11.2017
Stand: 14 November 2026.
Keep reading
Notice: Independent learning resource, not affiliated with any IHK. Our own practice questions with source and date, November 2026. No legal or tax advice, no guarantee of passing. Full notice (in German)