The criteria for a VTC car, point by point
According to the Service Public Entreprendre page, verified on 12 August 2026, a VTC car has between four and nine seats, driver included, and at least four doors. It may be no more than seven years old unless it is a collector's car, measures at least 4.50 m by 1.70 m and has net engine power of 84 kW or more.
The page states that these limits do not apply to hybrid and electric vehicles. The exact scope of that exception is worth rereading on the official page. Two- and three-wheelers follow separate rules that this article does not cover: it focuses on cars, which most clients choose for business travel.
The red sticker: cost, placement and temporary version
Every VTC car carries a red adhesive sticker, ordered from the driver's personal space on the register. Service Public gives a cost of about 35 euros at the date of writing (October 2026). It is fixed in two places: at the front, in the lower left corner of the windscreen on the driver's side, and at the rear, in the lower right corner of the back window.
A temporary sticker, valid for 30 days at most, can precede the permanent one. It shows the register number and the vehicle registration. The page bans any illuminated external device, to avoid confusion with a taxi. For a passenger, the red sticker is therefore a first visible cue, to be read alongside our article on the obligations of a VTC driver.
Technical inspection, insurance and renewal
The technical inspection is annual and left to the driver: the page specifies that no reminder or summons is sent. The dedicated inspection page adds that a collector's car used as a VTC must also be inspected, and that the six-month rule for larger passenger vehicles does not apply to VTCs. The vehicle must also be replaced at least every seven years, a limit that does not apply to hybrids and electric vehicles.
Professional liability insurance is compulsory, with any insurer. Not having it can lead to a fine of up to 3,750 euros, a topic covered in our article on VTC penalties and checks. These rules provide a common baseline, though they say little about day-to-day care, cleanliness or upkeep of the car.
Compliant does not mean right for your journey
The official criteria set a minimum: a compliant vehicle is not necessarily the one that suits your trip. Whether a saloon for a lone executive, or a larger vehicle for a small delegation or a team with luggage, the choice depends on passenger numbers, luggage volume and the comfort you expect.
For an organised journey, it helps to state these points in the first request. IKIGAI Limousine presents its available vehicles and gives a firm quote before confirmation. We do not claim any particular regulatory status here: each client should check the documents of the provider they choose.
Before booking: an assistant's checklist
A few simple checks are enough. Ask in advance for the driver's name, the car model and its registration. On arrival, look for the red sticker at the front and the rear, and for the professional card with photo. An official, free online service lets clients check whether a card is valid.
For an assistant or a concierge team, a written booking with a firm quote leaves a clear record of what was agreed. You can discuss it through our page for executive assistants or write to us via the contact page. All our regulatory guides are gathered in the VTC section of the Journal.
