Los primeros solicitantes bajo el examen pionero para conductores de VTC en Madrid.
The first 25 applicants appeared on Tuesday for the pioneering authority exam to pass the VTC driver transport vehicles in the region, in accordance with autonomous regulations that came into effect on January 12, 2024, designed to regulate a sector in full growth and establish order in regulation levels.
The first event took place starting at 16:00 on Orense Street, 58, and this will be repeated with another 25 applicants. This marks the first VTC driver training exam held in Spain, as highlighted by the Director General of Transport in the Madrid community, Luís Miguel Torres.
The applicants had 60 minutes to respond to 60 test questions divided into four modules covering Spanish, navigation map device management, itineraries and points of interest in the Madrid region, as well as first aid, accessibility, and public services.
The exams will be held periodically, with at least 12 per year scheduled, and the frequency may be adjusted to meet existing needs and ensure continued access to the profession.
The Madrid community estimates that while the first test will have around 25 candidates, the demand is expected to increase to 300 people. When that time comes, the test will be conducted at the Raúl Vázquez Professional Education Center in Madrid. «We believe that this will start to grow significantly in the meantime,» said Torres.
According to the standard, within 18 months, no accredited person can work as a VTC driver in the region. «It should be noted that those who already have years of experience have 18 months to inquire, and the rest have 18 months to pass the exam, but of course, there is no doubt that in a year and a half, anyone who has passed the exam or requested it can work in the sector.»
It is expected that around 20,000 people will take this test, including those seeking to take the exam and those who may request validation or exemption from the exam.
Specifically, those exempt from this requirement are those who have been professionally working for at least one uninterrupted year by January 10, or two out of the previous four years to enter VTC decree operations.
In addition to passing the exam, the regional government also considers that VTC drivers must have held a Class B driving license for at least two years and have no history of sexual offenses.
To ensure high demand periods, the regulation also allows VTC validation in other autonomous communities, such as municipalities in Autotaxi, without the need to take the specific test.
In any case, license holders must register in the VTC vehicle driver registry. Furthermore, to improve transportation services available to users, companies with authorizations must provide continuous training to their workers.
The goal is to ensure legal certainty in a sector that currently has approximately 9,000 permits in the region and serves users. «We want to provide security when using this service, so that even in the app, the driver’s authorization number can be verified, ensuring that not only knowledge but also the other requirements are met,» said Torres.
Specifically, the test consists of four modules with 60 questions on Spanish, navigation map device management, itineraries, points of interest in the Madrid region, as well as first aid, accessibility, and public services.
In detail, the Spanish language module includes 12 questions evaluating basic language knowledge to enable effective interaction with users. Definitions, sayings, conjugations, synonyms, antonyms, and similarities will be presented.
Module 2, consisting of 18 questions, will assess proficiency in using electronic devices such as GPS or mobile applications for route planning, as well as familiarity with itineraries and points of interest.
Knowledge of air quality protocols in different municipalities in the Madrid region and the environmental label system will also be included in this module.
Module 3, with 18 questions, will test knowledge of customer service, users with disabilities, minors, and pets, as well as compliance with Law 5/2018 of December 21, regarding access to environments with disabilities accompanied by assistance dogs. Basic first aid knowledge must also be demonstrated.
Finally, Module 4, with 12 questions, will address issues related to the legal framework applicable to the activity.
Each question will have four answer options, with only one being correct. To pass the test, at least half of the questions in each module must be answered correctly. Failing to answer any of them will result in the total suspension of the test.
The final evaluation of the test will be pass or fail, without a numerical score. Applicants can challenge the result before a court established for this purpose, consisting of a president, a secretary, and two members.
Upon passing, the VTC driver’s provisional permit will be electronically issued, with a maximum validity of three months until the final grant. Once obtained, the permit will be valid for five years, after which it must be renewed.
Additionally, the option of conducting the test through a car examination method and implementing artificial intelligence systems to test knowledge on this matter was included. Furthermore, to enhance the transportation services available to users, companies with authorizations must provide ongoing training to their workers.
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