How do taxi drivers complete their days to reach thirty? This question is one many drivers want answered. Taxi drivers typically work fewer than ten days per month. For coverage under the General Health Insurance (GSS) and for long-term benefits such as retirement and related services, they need to bring their insured days up to thirty. Below you will find detailed information on how taxi drivers can complete their days to reach thirty.
On March 1, 2011, a comprehensive law came into effect in our country that introduced a new provision for taxi drivers. According to this regulation, taxi drivers who work ten days or fewer in a month can voluntarily complete the remaining days up to thirty by paying contributions. The same rule was extended to drivers of intra-city commercial passenger vehicles—such as buses, minibuses, and shared taxis—allowing them to top up their insured days to thirty as well.
Conditions Required for Taxi Drivers to Complete Their Days to Thirty
There are several conditions that must be met for commercial taxi drivers to voluntarily complete their contribution days to thirty. The first condition is that the driver must not be employed by the public sector. Drivers working in public service are not eligible for this option. Another requirement is that the driver must not be working under an employment contract. If a taxi driver performs services under the orders and direction of an employer, they cannot complete their days up to thirty through this voluntary scheme. Additionally, the driver must not currently have or previously have had a voluntary insurance status. If a driver has already paid voluntary insurance contributions in their own name before, they are not eligible to use this method to top up to thirty days.
Another condition is that the driver must not be employed under a pension fund or bank fund arrangement, and must not be receiving a regular salary or pension. Receiving a monthly income typically indicates employment under an employer’s supervision, which disqualifies the driver from this option. Therefore, the taxi driver should not be receiving a regular monthly wage or pension. Additionally, drivers must be at least 18 years old to qualify.
Besides these requirements, taxi drivers and others using this option are classified under the Social Insurances Law (SSK). In other words, they are considered insured as workers for the purposes of social security.
Where Taxi Drivers Must Apply to Complete Their Days to Thirty
With the new law in effect, taxi drivers gained access to several benefits. One common question is where drivers should apply to complete their insured days to thirty. First, drivers must obtain the “employment notification for part-time workers in intra-city passenger transport.” This notification can be obtained from the relevant professional chamber to which the vehicle owner is affiliated. The notification must be approved by the officials of the professional chamber. After these approvals, an employment agreement must be signed between the taxi owner and the driver. Once both the employment notification and the signed contract are ready, the driver and the vehicle owner must visit the Provincial Directorate of Social Security of the province where the driver will work.
After completing these steps, taxi drivers can complete their contribution days up to thirty. By doing so, they gain access to both short-term and long-term insurance branches. Short-term insurance covers two main areas: occupational risks and social risks. These include work accidents and occupational diseases, as well as sickness and maternity benefits. Note that maternity benefits apply only to female taxi drivers. Long-term insurance branches include disability, old-age, and survivor pensions. If a taxi driver completes their days to thirty and later becomes disabled and unable to work, the Social Security Institution will provide a monthly allowance. In the event of the driver’s death, survivors (spouse, children, parents) may be eligible to receive a survivor’s pension.