VTC 2025 practical test: timetable, scale and tips for success

Understanding the VTC practical test

To apply, you must have passed the theory test (mark ≥ 10/20), which is valid for 12 months.

Course of the examination day

After the summons to the CMA, you show up with a rented dual-control vehicle. The jury (two examiners) will award you a random mission scenario. You have 6 minutes to prepare your journeythen set off for 20 to 30 minutes of driving punctuated by questions. The race ends with the billing and the return to the CMA, still evaluated until the engine stops.

1. Meet and greet at the CMA with your dual-control vehicle.
2. Presentation by the jury (2 examiners).
3. Draw for a mission scenario (one-way, round-trip, provision).
4. 6-minute preparation phase (GPS itinerary, quote, location).
5. Professional driving situation (20-30 min) with tourist questions.
6. Billing at the end of the journey.
7. Back to the CMA, still rated.
8. Official end only when the vehicle is parked and the engine switched off.

Composition of the jury

Two examiners are present. In the front, a driving specialist checks your safety and compliance with the Code. In the back, a CMA representative (or sometimes a police officer) plays the role of customer and judges your interpersonal skills, driving comfort and billing quality.

• Front (passenger side): driving expert, responsible for safety and compliance with the Highway Code.
• Rear: a member of the CMA or sometimes a police officer, playing the role of the customer. He assesses the relationship, comfort, billing and local knowledge.

Scale

The examination is based on four criteria: preparation (3 points), driving and safety (10 points), customer relations and local knowledge (5 points), and invoicing (2 points). Serious misconduct is disqualifying. The minimum mark to pass is 12/20.

• Preparation and route: 3 points (eliminatory if failed).
• Driving, safety, flexibility: 10 points (eliminatory if serious fault).
• Customer relations and tourist information: 5 points.
• Billing: 2 points.
• Minimum grade required: 12/20.

Registration fees

Exam registration fees are set annually and can be consulted on the regional CMA websites. Here are the 2025 tariffs for information :

• Full tests (Admissibility + Admission): €237
• Admission test only (2nd or 3rd presentation): €116
• Professional mobility (Taxi → VTC and VTC → Taxi): €165

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Preparing effectively

Material and organisational preparation play a key role.

Dual control vehicle

Hire of a dual-control vehicle is compulsory. Choosing a hybrid or electric model reinforces your professional image and simplifies the acceptable features.. Think about book early and, if possible, to pick it up the day before to get used to its size and clean it if necessary.

• Hire compulsory.
• Choose an electric or hybrid vehicle.
• Anticipate the booking and, if possible, pick it up the day before to familiarise yourself with the template and controls, and clean up if necessary.

Essential equipment on board

A smartphone with cradle and charger is essential for GPS. Add a calculator, pen, rough draft, estimate books and pre-filled invoices. A road map is not compulsory, but can be useful in the event of technical problems.

• Smartphone with stable stand and charger.
• Calculator.
• Draft sheet and pen.
• Quotation and invoice books pre-filled with your information.
• A road map (contrary to popular belief, this is not compulsory, but it is useful in the event of GPS failure).

Documents to prepare and take with you

Check the validity of your identity document and driving licence beforehand. On the big day, take with you convocation, car registration document, insurance and vehicle rental contract. Forgetting just one document can get you stuck.

• Identity document and driving licence currently valid (Check the dates well in advance in case you need to renew them).
• Invitation to the exam.
• Vehicle registration document, insurance and rental contract.

Presentation

Opt for a neat, sober professional attireThe vehicle must be impeccable: cleanliness and general condition reflect your seriousness in the eyes of the jury. The vehicle must be impeccable: cleanliness and general condition reflect your seriousness in the eyes of the jury.

• Sober, neat professional attire (a suit is not strictly speaking compulsory, but strongly recommended).
• Clean vehicle.

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The 6-minute phase: a simple method

It's a step timed where the jury observes your method and your composure.

Note down the addresses correctly, set up the GPS and then draw up a clear and credible estimate. Ideally, you should spend half your time on the GPS and half on the estimate.

The aim is to assess your ability to :

• Make a clear note of the details of the assignment (names, addresses).
• Use GPS quickly and efficiently to calculate your route.
• Draw up a legible and professional quote, including the details of the race.

Recommended organisation

You are free to divide your time as you see fit during this phase.But here is the breakdown we recommend:

• First 3 minutes: enter GPS addresses, locate start and finish points.
• Last 3 minutes: obtain the distance and draw up a clear quote.

Key points

• Make a note of the names and addresses given orally (repeated no more than twice).
• Credible km rate, clear and professional quote.

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Professional driving: safety and flexibility

This is the heart of the scale (10 points). Driving must be both secure and flexible This includes strict observance of the Highway Code, anticipation, progressive acceleration and braking. Passenger comfort is just as important as safety.

Smooth driving :

• Progressive acceleration and braking.
• Strict compliance with the Code.
• Anticipation to guarantee comfort and safety.

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Customer relations and local culture

Chis part represents a quarter of the mark, 5 pointsSo it can make a real difference. It covers the entire service, from pick-up to drop-off. This includes baggage handlinga neat, professional attirea courteous attitudeand a proactive comfort offering (adjusting temperature, suggesting water or charger). Knowledge of tourism is an asset, but they must be appropriately integratedwithout compromising concentration on driving.

What to look out for:

• Take charge: doors, luggage, stop in a safe place.
• Comfort: offer water, temperature control, charger.
• Tourist questions: find out about the main sites (monuments, museums, stations) within a 20-minute radius of the CMA. Answer briefly while keeping your concentration on the road.

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Billing and return journey

The invoice must clearly set out the details of the quotation and be delivered by hand.. Stay focused : the return journey is noted until the engine comes to a complete stopAnd a serious fault at that point cancels everything.

Invoice :

• Must include the elements of the quotation with the amount including VAT.
• To be given personally to the customer-examiner.

Return journey :

• Always noted, until the engine stops.
• A serious fault on this route cancels out everything else.

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Eliminatory faults and common mistakes in the VTC practical test

The official regulations do not set out an exhaustive list of eliminatory faults. Instead, they give a simple guiding principle: any intervention by the examiner on the dual controls or the steering wheel will result in the immediate cessation of the test and the failure of the candidate.

The 4 most common reasons for examiner intervention :

• Stops : full stop compulsory, even if the line is deleted.
• Priorities on the right : systematic vigilance at every intersection.
• Pedestrian crossings : total priority as soon as a pedestrian indicates his intention to cross.
• Lights : red eliminatory, orange to be approached with caution (better to stop).

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Passing the VTC practical test is based on three pillars:

1. Upstream preparation : full equipment, ready documents, flawless organisation.
2. Safe, smooth driving The company's core values: absolute priority to safety, strict compliance with the Code and passenger comfort.
3. Consistent professionalism : neat dress, attentive service, rigour until the end of the return journey.

With method and seriousness, this exam becomes an achievable step towards obtaining the professional card.