The conditions to meet before you start
According to the Service Public Entreprendre page, last checked on 12 August 2026, you first need a category B licence held for at least three years, or two if you learned with accompanied driving. Your criminal record extract (bulletin no. 2) must not show certain convictions, such as road offences that halve the licence points, driving without a licence or despite a cancellation or ban, and custodial sentences of at least six months for offences such as theft, fraud, breach of trust or drug trafficking. The full list is on the official page.
A medical check is also required: the positive opinion (cerfa form 14880) must come from an approved doctor, not your usual GP, and the list is published by your prefecture. A first-aid certificate is no longer mandatory for VTC drivers, though it remains advisable. The exam is open whatever your level of education, so no diploma is a prerequisite.
Training and exam: what to expect
Training is optional, but strongly recommended. As of this writing (October 2026), Service Public gives roughly 50 to 300 hours and a cost of about 400 to 3,000 euros, depending on the centre. Registration for the exam goes through the regional chamber of trades and crafts (CMA) and costs about 200 euros.
The exam combines knowledge tests (business management, VTC rules, road safety, discrimination, French and English) with a 20-minute driving route that the candidate plans and secures. One point to remember: since 12 August 2026, professional experience no longer opens access to the trade; the exam is the sole route, except for applications filed before that date.
Professional card, business and register
After the exam, the CMA issues a certificate of success. It lets you apply, online only, for the professional card, which costs about 60 euros and is valid for five years. A VTC driver falls under the craft sector, so the business, whether micro-enterprise, sole trader or company, is registered in the national business register through the one-stop business formalities portal.
The operator must then be entered in the VTC register (REVTC), for about 170 euros, again renewable every five years. The file includes professional liability insurance, proof of registration, the vehicle registration document and the professional card. A 1,500-euro financial guarantee per vehicle is required, unless the vehicle is owned or leased for more than six months.
Vehicle, sticker and way of working
For a car, the page lists four to nine seats including the driver, at least four doors, a maximum age of seven years and an engine of at least 84 kW, with exceptions for hybrid and electric vehicles. A red sticker, about 35 euros, is requested from the register's personal account, and no external illuminated sign is allowed.
The last choice is how to find clients: join one or more booking platforms and pay a commission per ride, or build your own clientele. Day-to-day rules (booking proof, parking, renewals) are covered in our article on the obligations of a VTC driver, and the legal framework in VTC regulation in France.
Getting support and funding the project
Service Public advises preparing a business plan, setting aside a financial reserve for the unexpected and getting ready for a demanding working rhythm. Optional courses in entrepreneurship, management and accounting are recommended, and each chamber of commerce (CCI) offers, according to the page, a three- to five-day course on starting a business.
On funding, VTC training can be paid with the personal training account, and France Travail points candidates to financial aid. For 2026, the page gives a turnover ceiling of 83,600 euros for a service-based micro-enterprise; that regime, however, limits deductible costs and VAT recovery. A dedicated VTC helpdesk answers register questions by email.
Beyond the paperwork: a service profession
Passing the exam is only a starting point. The test already assesses how you welcome a client and how well you know the area; in practice, punctuality, route preparation and discretion make the difference, particularly with business clients. Those standards are also the core of premium transport, such as a VIP chauffeur service in Paris.
To compare this status with that of a taxi, read our piece on taxi versus VTC. The rest of our guides sit in the VTC section of the Journal. This article is informative, not legal advice, and reflects October 2026. IKIGAI Limousine is independent of the administrations and bodies mentioned, which are cited for information only.
Booking with a compliant professional
A compliant provider can be recognised by a few concrete points: professional card, register entry, sticker on the vehicle. Before booking, ask for them and check them, then insist on a written quote specifying the journey, the vehicle and the conditions.
IKIGAI Limousine issues a firm quote before any confirmation and provides flight tracking and a named greeting on request. Assistants, concierge teams and family offices can group their journeys with tailored invoicing. Discover our VIP chauffeur service, our airport transfers page or send your request through the quote form.
