Guide · TSE

TSE for taxis and private hire: obligation, cost, installation, registration.

Since 2026 the technical security device (TSE) has been mandatory for every taxi and private hire vehicle with an EU taximeter or odometer-based fare meter. This page explains in one piece what a TSE does in a taxi, who needs one, what it costs, how installation works and what remains to be done afterwards.

§ 146a AOlegal basis with KassenSichV
31 Dec 2025end of the transition period
DSFinV-TWexport format for audits

What a TSE does in a taxi

A TSE is a certified security module attached to the taximeter or odometer-based fare meter. It signs every trip, every payment and every cancellation with a running counter, so nothing can be deleted or altered afterwards without leaving a trace.

The TSE replaces the former INSIKA scheme. It is the implementation of the German cash register security ordinance (KassenSichV) for the taxi and private hire trade: what has applied to retail tills applies to EU taximeters and odometer-based fare meters since 2024.

Trip on the taximeter
The driver ends the trip on the taximeter. Fare, time, distance and payment method are fixed.
Signature by the TSE
The TSE signs the transaction with a counter and timestamp. From now on the signature belongs to the trip.
Transfer and archive
The signed data is transferred to the TSE data centre and stored there unalterably for the statutory retention period.
Receipt for the passenger
The passenger receives a receipt with the TSE details, printed or digitally from the driver app.
Export during an audit
Tax audits and cash register audits require the data in DSFinV-TW format. The export is produced from the archive, not from the vehicle.

Who the TSE obligation applies to

Affected

Every taxi with an EU taximeter
Every private hire vehicle with an odometer-based fare meter, including trips brokered via platforms
Patient transport, if the vehicle has a taximeter or odometer-based fare meter
Uniform nationwide, in Bavaria as everywhere else

Deadlines

Since 1 January 2024: TSE obligation under § 146a AO and KassenSichV
Until 31 December 2025: transition rule of the Federal Ministry of Finance for retrofits
Since 1 January 2026: obligation without exception, plus registration of the devices via ELSTER

Installation: how the TSE gets into the vehicle

The TSE is not bought separately; it is connected to the device by the taximeter manufacturer or an installation partner. Depending on the manufacturer it sits inside the taximeter itself or in a transmitter unit in the vehicle.

Step	Who does it
Check the taximeter	The installation partner determines whether the existing device is TSE-capable or has to be replaced. Devices from HALE, Semitron and Taxitronic are supported.
Install and activate the TSE	The workshop installs it, activates the vehicle in the starksoft partner area and documents the installation. From that moment the data flows into the archive.
Choose a data plan	The operator creates the vehicle in starkcenter and chooses the data plan for archiving. Registration takes a few minutes.
Inform the tax office	The TSE devices are registered via the ELSTER notification procedure. With starksoft this is done directly from starkcenter through the integrated ELSTER interface ERiC.

Workshops and service providers that install TSEs work with starksoft as partners: they activate vehicles themselves, manage SIM cards and see the status of their installations. More on the page Become a partner.

What the TSE costs

The cost splits into two blocks. The first is set by your installation partner, the second by the data plan:

One-off: device and installation
TSE equipment or retrofit of the taximeter, installation and activation. The amount depends on the existing device and the installation partner. Ask your workshop for a quote for your taximeter model.
Ongoing: archiving per vehicle
The signed data has to be stored for the retention period. At starksoft the BASIS data plan costs €14.90 per vehicle and month net, with archive, operating records and DSFinV-TW export. No minimum term, no sign-up fee.

After installation: registration, receipt, audit

ELSTER registration: since 1 January 2026 EU taximeters and odometer-based fare meters with TSE are registered with the tax office (§ 146a para. 4 AO). starkcenter detects notifiable changes such as a new vehicle, decommissioning or a TSE swap and notifies you before a deadline passes.
Receipt issuing: passengers are entitled to a receipt with TSE details. With the driver app it is created digitally straight from the trip, or printed on the receipt printer if preferred.
Cash register audit at the vehicle: the auditor scans the starksoft QR sticker, sees master data and procedural documentation and requests the DSFinV-TW export for a period. The driver releases it in the app; every access is logged.
Tax audit: the DSFinV-TW export is produced in starkcenter at the touch of a button, audit-ready for the tax office and your accountant.

TSE archive at starksoft

starksoft operates the TSE data centre for the taxi and private hire trade. More than 2,000 businesses with over 5,000 vehicles archive their taximeter data with us, regardless of taximeter manufacturer.

Automatic, audit-proof archiving of all TSE data per vehicle
DSFinV-TW export and ELSTER registration directly from starkcenter
Digital receipt issuing, working time recording and telematics on the same platform
Online registration, support from Berlin

Frequently asked questions about the TSE in taxis

How does the TSE work in a taxi?

The TSE signs every trip on the taximeter with a running counter and timestamp. The signed data is transferred to the TSE data centre, archived there unalterably and exported in DSFinV-TW format during an audit. The passenger receives a receipt with the TSE details.

Are there exceptions to the TSE obligation for taxis?

Not since 1 January 2026. The transition rule of the Federal Ministry of Finance expired on 31 December 2025. Every taxi with an EU taximeter and every private hire vehicle with an odometer-based fare meter needs a certified TSE.

Does the TSE obligation also apply to private hire vehicles?

Yes. The obligation covers odometer-based fare meters just like EU taximeters. Private hire companies are affected in the same way as taxi businesses, including trips brokered via platforms.

What does the TSE cost for a taxi?

One-off: the TSE equipment or retrofit of the taximeter through the manufacturer or installation partner, plus ongoing archiving per vehicle. At starksoft this starts with the BASIS data plan at €14.90 per vehicle and month net. All plans under Pricing.

Who installs the TSE in the taxi?

The taximeter manufacturer or an installation partner, for example a taximeter workshop or service provider. starksoft partner workshops activate the vehicle directly in the partner area; after that the data flows automatically into the archive.

Can I simply buy a TSE for the taximeter?

The TSE has to match the taximeter and is connected and activated with the device by the manufacturer or installation partner. Ask your workshop for a quote for your model; devices from HALE, Semitron and Taxitronic are supported.

Does the TSE have to be registered with the tax office?

Yes, since 1 January 2026 via the ELSTER notification procedure (§ 146a para. 4 AO). With starksoft the registration is done directly from starkcenter through the integrated ELSTER interface ERiC.

What happens in an audit without a TSE?

Rejection of the books, estimated additional tax and fines are the risks. Auditors specifically ask for DSFinV-TW data. With archived TSE data the export is available at any time.

What is the difference between TSE and INSIKA?

INSIKA was the earlier scheme for securing taximeter data with a smart card. The TSE under KassenSichV replaces it; since 2026 INSIKA devices without a TSE are no longer permitted.

TSE installed? Then only the archive is missing.

Register online, add your vehicles, done. Archiving runs automatically; DSFinV-TW export and ELSTER registration are waiting in starkcenter. Our team is happy to help on +49 30 577 000 991.

What a TSE does in a taxi

Trip on the taximeter

Signature by the TSE

Transfer and archive

Receipt for the passenger

Export during an audit