All VTC drivers in Madrid will have to prove at least two years of a B driving license and pass an exam on knowledge of Spanish, navigation, first aid and the most relevant sites in the Community of Madrid.
This was announced by the Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Local Administration and spokesperson for the regional Government, Miguel Ángel García Martín, during the press conference following the first Government Council of the Community of Madrid, Servimedia reports.
During said Government Council, the first regional Regulation of Transport Vehicles with Drivers (VTC) was approved, which "will provide legal certainty to users, companies and professionals and greater quality to citizens who opt for this service." The spokesperson pointed out that the new regulations will apply to a sector that currently has around 9,000 authorizations in the autonomous territory.
The Regulation, whose entry into force is scheduled for the next few days, establishes the rights of customers, the purpose and scope of application of the standard, the requirements for companies to obtain and maintain authorizations and the requirements that drivers must meet. and the conditions of provision of services, among other aspects. Thus, the text establishes that companies, to obtain and maintain authorizations, must have at least a number of drivers equal to 75% of registered permits.
García explained that, with the new regulations, companies must own the cars, which may be 'renting' or 'leasing', and they will be required to have civil liability insurance covered when carrying passengers and, in addition, they will be obliged to provide its workers with continuous training.
In exceptional circumstances of high demand produced by unusual or extraordinary leisure events or concerts, the price may not exceed 75% of the average ordinary cost. On the other hand, a new type of shared trips has been added that each user can subscribe to per seat and with individual payment, depending on the route taken. This transportation alternative allows the first passenger to book a trip, to which others can join for the same itinerary or a part, since intermediate stops can be made for getting on and off customers, all of them knowing their price in advance.
The text states that companies must enable a free customer service telephone line adapted for people with hearing disabilities, as well as an accessible means of communication via the web. In addition, as of January 1, 2025, the new vehicles made available to the public by companies with 10 or more authorizations must be adapted to provide the service to all those people who travel in a wheelchair, which will increase the fleet of automobiles adapted to facilitate these trips.
All VTC drivers must prove possession of a class B driving license with at least two years of experience, they cannot have a record of crimes of a sexual nature and must pass an exam that will include knowledge of the Spanish language, the handling of navigation devices, as well as first aid and most important places in the region.
These professionals will have a period of 18 months to carry out this test, counting from the entry into force of the provision that regulates them, and they will be able to continue driving until the end of this period. Those who, upon the entry into force of the Regulation, have been carrying out their professional work for at least one year uninterruptedly, or two years in the four years prior to the effective application of the new regulations, will be exempt from completing this requirement.
Furthermore, the cars receiving the authorizations may not be older than that required by state legislation; They must be removed from the activity when they have reached 10 years of age, counting from the first registration; and they will have to be classified with the Zero Emissions or ECO environmental label. However, those who have a C label and have permission when the Regulation comes into force will be able to continue providing service with that car until December 2027.
The adapted vehicles will be used as a priority for the movement of people with reduced mobility, although not exclusively, and will have to comply with the provisions regarding accessibility. The VTCs must also always carry their identification badges and may not be decorated with advertising that leads to confusion with those that provide taxi service.
Furthermore, its activity is limited to routes contracted in advance by users, prohibiting them from actively attracting customers on the streets. Therefore, they will not be able to park inside and at the entrance and exit accesses of airports, train or bus stations or any other location where there is a massive influx of people, without being previously contracted.
