Andorra proposes separating taxis from VTCs and requiring new professional driver credential

The Government has proposed a transport convention that would separate taxi services from VTCs (vehicles with driver) and require a new professional credential for all passenger‑transport drivers. The draft rules would bar a person from operating both as a taxi driver and as a VTC driver.

All professional drivers would need a credential issued by the competent authority. To obtain it applicants must hold the driving‑licence class required by the traffic code, pass sector‑specific aptitude and training tests, present an official medical certificate confirming they passed required checks, and be resident in the Principality of Andorra. The administration would be responsible for verifying compliance.

The convention promotes structural change in the taxi sector by proposing the merger of the country’s two main taxi associations, ATA and ATI, into a single organisation within one year. Both associations’ boards have approved the plan; the draft must now be ratified by their assemblies.

A single central dispatch and a unified digital booking platform—comprising an app and a call centre—must be operational before 31 March next year. The call centre would be located in Andorra. The administration has committed around €10,000 a year to implement the platform.

Industry participants have identified a working group to support the new system: Espic would operate the call‑centre function, while CityXerpa and TaxiMés would handle the app and contracting technology.

The convention sets out commitments on licences and service conditions. It foresees that, within three months of signing, the Government will open a tender to allocate ten new ordinary taxi licences and two licences for adapted vehicles. Transport officials have also signalled that no additional licences will be issued until the central dispatch is running and demand can be properly assessed.

Other proposed changes address public‑holiday arrangements, licence transferability and a new agreed vehicle livery. The draft also contemplates measures to give current licence holders greater operational flexibility, such as the possibility of operating two vehicles year‑round, subject to terms to be finalised with professionals.

Officials say the measures aim to modernise the sector, ensure minimum service quality, maintain effective competition, and preserve passenger transport as a public service guided by safety, accessibility, quality and environmental protection. Policy objectives listed by the Government include decarbonisation, trip rationalisation and a socially just transition for the sector.

The proposals follow concerns in the taxi sector about new market entrants such as Uber. The Transport Department intends for the convention to be examined and negotiated by the parties in the coming weeks, after which the associations’ assemblies will be asked to validate the agreement.