If you own a vehicle, being a taxi driver can be a good job option. It’s a great way to earn a little extra money with what you have. However, contrary to what many people think, having a car is not the only requirement to be a taxi driver in Spain. In fact, there are quite a few papers you need to have to be one. Therefore, today we will indicate all the requirements you need to drive a taxi. We will give you information about taxi licenses, permits, and everything you need to know.
If you want to be a taxi driver and you own a car, we will not only let you know what the necessary papers are. Here we will also explain everything that being a taxi driver implies and what this requires. Many people seem to ignore the part that, when working in a taxi, you have to know customer service. There will be people who are less kind than others, and you must know how to treat them all.
It is also worth clarifying that being a taxi driver requires great effort and great orientation skills. You should not be intimidated by the idea that Madrid is a city with many streets. If you have a sense of direction, all is well . Once you spend a couple of weeks driving, you will become familiar with the city and its narrow streets, and everything will become easier.
Now, we know that perhaps what gives you nightmares is obtaining the necessary permits to be a taxi driver. Permits such as the taxi license, the cards and a large etcetera. But do not worry! No matter how stormy or tedious they may seem, we can assure you that nothing is impossible. Definitely, being a taxi driver is no exception.
For this reason, in this guide we will try to simplify for you all the necessary processes to get your taxi license. Also, everything you need to start working as a taxi driver. If you are a foreigner, don’t worry. We also talk about the necessary requirements for non-Spanish.
Keep reading to find out everything you need, without leaving any detail out and making it as simple as possible. Realize, the paperwork necessary to be a taxi driver is much less tedious than you think.
Instructions
As we told you above, it is extremely necessary to get a taxi license. Almost all the Town Halls have stopped delivering them, for various reasons. Thanks to this, it is now necessary to buy them from third parties. These must be purchased from retired or retiring taxi drivers, and tend to command a high price.
The aforementioned licenses are around between 80,000 and 150,000 euros. In some cases, you can find the bargain to buy it in conjunction with a car ready for action. If that’s the case, take advantage! Well, in other less fortunate cases, you must separately buy one of the cars approved by your city. The price varies depending on the model, but can start at 25,000 euros.
Once you have one of the cars approved by your city, you must put it in good condition. This means painting it and adding the taximeter, controls and the chapel. Once everything is ready, you can start working without any problem.
What do you need:
Let’s move on to the legal now. To be a taxi driver it is necessary to have reached the age of majority and not have any type of criminal record. In some cities in Spain, taxi licenses are issued in Town Halls. In others, on the other hand, it is necessary to buy them from a taxi driver who has previously obtained it. The price will depend on the seller.
Before, it was necessary to obtain a BTP card in a school. This type of card was for exclusive professional use, and was required for drivers of public or school transport. It was also required for priority service vehicles, such as ambulances. However, as of January 1, 2016, this requirement has been removed. As of that date, only taxi drivers were required to possess a class B license.
Of course, drivers who have previously obtained BTP cards will still be able to use it. They will not need any type of renewal or replacement, as their old BTP card will suffice. This, at least, is the case of Madrid and Barcelona. We remind you that the requirements to obtain a taxi license vary according to the city and its town hall.
It is worth remembering that, regardless of the license you have, it must have been processed in Spain, not in any other country. It may sound obvious, but it’s a more frequently asked question than you might think.
You must also obtain a driver’s license from the City Hall. You will achieve this by presenting an aptitude test, at a cost of 20 euros. This will be a multiple choice quiz test.
If you pass this test, you must ensure and give proof that you meet the specific requirements of your Town Hall. Even though these vary by city, they follow a kind of pattern; As we told you before, you must be over 18 years of age and (at least in Madrid) have an ESO degree. You cannot suffer from any infectious disease or have any physical or mental impediment that causes a negative effect on the exercise of your work.
The requirement that talks about infectious diseases has raised controversy since its issuance. Said requirement implies that AIDS or HIV patients cannot work as taxi drivers in Madrid. Although the HIV patient rights community has been advocating for the inclusion of patients as taxi drivers, a breakthrough has yet to be achieved.
Many efforts have been made for the disease to be considered infectious-transmissible instead of infectious, which would make it easier for patients to be taxi drivers. However, to this day, no results have been seen. A couple of years ago, Mayor Ana Botella added a new requirement for taxi drivers. She mandated a sort of dress code, prohibiting taxi drivers from wearing shorts or sandals.
However, this is not all. After you have met all your requirements, you must move on to the next step: obtain a taxi license. This is an interesting part that you should pay special attention to. Keep reading to know more.
Tips
- If you are a foreigner interested in working as a taxi driver, there are a few things you still need to know. First of all, it is completely necessary and mandatory that you have a Spanish citizenship. Otherwise, you won’t be able to do it.
- If you live in a city where the title of Compulsory Higher Education (secondary education in other countries) is a requirement, pay attention. You must have your papers online in case your studies have been completed outside of Spain. Get a validation credential of your degree or an homologation credential. With these papers in hand, you shouldn’t have any problems.
- The rest of the process is quite similar to that of a common citizen.
- This way you can see that obtaining a taxi license is not an impossible mission. Being a taxi driver in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona can be profitable. It just requires a lot of effort and desire to work, like any other job. The key is in the will and effort that you put into it.
After this guide, you should be ready to not only get your taxi license, but also to be a respectable taxi driver. Remember that all work is good as long as it is done honestly. With nothing more to add, we say goodbye. Of course, not before wishing you the best of luck on your path as a taxi driver. Until next time!
