Taxi laws in Madrid are modified: amplified availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles, evaluation points added to the driving license, and a requirement of ESO certification for taxi drivers.
Madrid City Council has approved an initial modification of the Taxi Ordinance, aiming to make the city's taxi fleet more accessible, competitive, and sustainable. The changes, expected to be definitively approved by the end of summer, will introduce several new regulations and incentives.
One of the key modifications is the introduction of a points-based license system. This system will penalize violations such as not adhering to rest schedules, breaking the tariff regime, picking up passengers outside official stops, and failing to meet minimum eurotaxi services. The points-based license will be applied to the license holder, not the driver.
To increase the fleet of adapted vehicles, a contest will be held to create new licenses for adapted vehicles. Madrid aims to reach 700 adapted vehicles, with only these allowed to work seven days a week. Vehicles with the C label will be allowed to become eurotaxis and will be required to subscribe to a radio station for service reservation with a minimum of 24 hours' notice.
All taxi drivers in Madrid will be required to have at least a high school diploma (ESO) to obtain a license. An electronic navigation device (GPS) will be mandatory for all taxis, ensuring that they can navigate the city efficiently and provide reliable service.
The modification also includes incentives for environmental and sustainability initiatives. Temporary taxi stops for electric vehicles will be created, encouraging the use of electric or hybrid vehicles. This approach can help reduce emissions and improve air quality.
In some cities, taxis must be relatively new vehicles, typically under 10 years old, to ensure they are more environmentally friendly and reliable. However, no specific age limit for vehicles was mentioned in the Madrid modifications.
The exam for new drivers will be simplified by eliminating the itinerary module and implementing a system to prevent excessive repetition. A natural month must pass between successive exam attempts for new drivers, similar to driving tests at the General Directorate of Traffic.
The modifications aim to standardize service quality, make taxis more competitive by ensuring fair pricing, and create a more accessible taxi service for passengers with disabilities. As seen in other cities, these changes could also impact how traditional taxi services operate and compete with ride-hailing services.
However, the specific details about the contest for new licenses for adapted vehicles and the requirement for taxi drivers to subscribe to a radio station for service reservation were not provided in the search results. The modifications are expected to come into effect before the end of the year, transforming Madrid's taxi services for the better.
- To promote a greener transportation industry, Madrid will create temporary taxi stops for electric vehicles and incentivize the use of electric or hybrid vehicles within the fleet, with the aim of reducing emissions and improving overall air quality.
- In an effort to increase the number of accessible taxi services and cater to passengers with disabilities, Madrid will hold a contest to create new licenses for adapted vehicles, eventually aiming to reach a fleet of 700 such vehicles.
