How do you transfer a VTC licence, step by step?

The transfer of a VTC licence is, in essence, a change of ownership of the authorisation registered with the autonomous community’s transport authority. The complete process, in the order in which it actually takes place:

• 1 · Preliminary checks. Before discussing money: beneficial ownership, encumbrances and seizures, a valid licence, penalties and — if applicable — proven income. Anything that turns up ‘out of the blue’ later on will take weeks to sort out or scupper the deal.
• 2 · Agreement and deposit with a contract. Price, terms and a deposit, which must be signed for in a deposit agreement and held in escrow, not transferred to the seller. In the escrow service provided by VTC360, the deposit is 1 per cent (minimum €2,000) and is held in escrow.
• 3 · Transfer dossier. The application to the housing association, accompanied by proof that the buyer meets the requirements: up to date with tax and National Insurance obligations, good standing, and the vehicle to be registered under their name with valid insurance. The full list of documents can be found at what documentation is required for a change of ownership.
• 4 · Submission and decision. The application is submitted to the transport authority; if it is complete, it proceeds to a decision and registration. If not, it is returned for rectification — the number one reason why a transfer drags on.
• 5 · Simultaneous signing and payment. Under escrow, the full purchase price is deposited before signing and is released once the transfer is finalised: no one pays without receiving the vehicle, and no one transfers ownership without being paid.
• 6 · Operational registration. Effective registration of the vehicle, insurance, and registration on platforms if you intend to operate.

Through the traditional route, this process takes 4–8 weeks and is prone to the usual pitfalls; the escrow service standardises it into six stages, aiming for 7–15 days from the deposit, with published fees (4% to the seller, payable only upon successful completion; the buyer pays nothing). A breakdown of the timescales and why they are reduced can be found at how long does a transfer take; information on the relevant taxes can be found at VAT or ITP.