You need a permit to transport passengers commercially in a rental car. You can submit an application for this to the relevant traffic authority.
Before the temporary permit expires, you can apply to the relevant traffic authority to have the permit reissued.
This will allow for a seamless transition of the approved rental car operation based on a new, again temporary, permit.

• The applicant is or was already in possession of a rental car license as an entrepreneur.
• The safety and efficiency of the business are guaranteed.
• There are no facts to suggest that the applicant is unreliable as an entrepreneur or that the person appointed to manage the business is unreliable.
• The applicant as an entrepreneur or the person appointed to manage the business is professionally qualified.
• The applicant and the entrepreneurs commissioned by them to provide transport services have their place of business or branch office in Germany within the meaning of commercial law.
• The reissuance of the license is limited to a maximum of 5 years.

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

To obtain a new license for the commercial transport of passengers in rental cars, proceed as follows:

• Submit a corresponding application to your local transport authority and enclose all the necessary documents with the application.
• The authority will process your application and carry out the necessary consultation procedures. 
• You will receive notification of the decision to reissue the rental car license. If applicable, you will be issued with the license certificate.

• Appeal. Further information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the decision on your application.
• Action 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.

• Application for reissuance of rental car license (last name, first name of applicant; place of residence and business; for natural persons, date of birth, place of birth; number of vehicles, vehicle type, capacity of vehicles to be used)
• Equity certificate/additional certificate (form in accordance with Section 2 (2) No. 2/Section 2 (3) of the Professional Access Regulation for Road Passenger Transport -PBZugV), not older than 3 months
• Certificate of good standing from the tax office, the municipality, the social security institution, and the employers' liability insurance association, not older than 3 months (from the company, the legal representative, and the person appointed to manage the business/traffic management)
• Certificate of good conduct for submission to the authorities in accordance with Section 30 (5) BZRG
• Extract from the Central Trade Register in accordance with Section 150 (5) GewO (for companies)
• Extract from the Driver Fitness Register (FAER)

General documents:

• Vehicle list
• Proof of liability insurance for rental cars, including risk index (WKZ)
• Proof of installation of an alarm system or exemption permit in accordance with Section 25 BOKraft
• Proof of installation of an odometer

The amount of the fees depends on: 

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

Cash/EC

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: No