Executive Cars with Driver, Booked in Advance

In Spain only cars can be hired with a driver, under the VTC rules. That makes the executive car the choice for one to three passengers, VIP guests or a wedding couple, and it comes with a few limits worth knowing.

What a VTC is

The letters mean vehículo de turismo con conductor, a car with a driver. Every vehicle holds its own authorisation and has nine seats at most, counting the driver. Three passengers ride comfortably, and a van-type car takes up to eight. The car may not look like a taxi; taxis are licensed under a separate regime.

Seats and luggage space

Seats: 1-3 (up to 8 passengers in a van-type car)
Luggage: Boot space; choose a larger vehicle for more passengers or luggage

On board, and the rules that apply

In Spain only cars (vehículos de turismo) may be hired with a driver; this is a form of passenger transport (arrendamiento de vehículos con conductor, VTC) that needs an authorisation for each vehicle (LOTT art. 99.4; ROTT art. 180)
A VTC car has at most 9 seats including the driver (ROTT art. 181.2)
A VTC car may carry passengers only on a service booked in advance: the contract must be completed before the service starts and its record carried on board, and the car may not drive around looking for customers or wait to pick up passengers who have not booked (ROTT art. 182.1)
A VTC car may not carry markings that could be mistaken for a taxi (ROTT art. 182.4); taxis are a separate regime
VTC services must start in the autonomous community where the authorisation is registered; pre-booked pick-ups at ports and airports are an exception when the destination is in that community (LOTT art. 91.2)
The national VTC authorisation covers only interurban trips (LOTT art. 91.1); trips within a single city are regulated by the autonomous communities and city councils, so local rules differ

Booked before it moves

Nothing about a VTC is spontaneous. The hire contract exists before the car sets off, and proof of it is kept on board. Driving around in search of fares is banned, and so is parking up to wait for someone who has no booking. For an executive landing at Barajas, the booking therefore names the traveller, the flight and the meeting point.

Regional and city rules

Where the trip begins matters. A VTC authorisation belongs to one autonomous community, and services normally start there. Airports and ports are the exception: a pre-booked collection there is allowed if the journey ends back in the car's home community. So a car licensed in Andalucía could meet a passenger at Madrid-Barajas and drive them home to Sevilla, but could not take them into Madrid. National authorisations cover journeys between towns. Rides inside a single city fall to regional and municipal rules, which is why Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla each differ.

What organisers ask us

Can the car wait outside a meeting?

Yes, as part of your booked service. It may not take on anyone who has not booked.

How many passengers fit?

One to three in comfort. A van-type car takes up to eight. For nine or more passengers, book a minibus.

Is a VTC the same as a taxi?

No. A VTC runs only on services booked in advance and may not look like a taxi; taxis have their own rules.