Madeira's regional government has extended the suspension on new TVDE operator and driver licences by four months. The Council of the Government made the decision on Thursday.
The freeze blocks new operators and drivers from entering the TVDE sector, the Portuguese term for paid passenger transport in unmarked private cars. It covers the apps that compete with taxis on the island.
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Freeze on new licences first ordered | September 2025 |
| Fleet of licensed TVDE vehicles grew to | about 800 |
| Study on TVDE and taxis presented to sector | 4 November 2026 |
| Previous suspension was due to end | 13 November 2026 |
| Council of the Government approved new extension | 12 November 2026 |
| Length of the new extension | 4 months |
Freeze on New TVDE Licences Began in September 2025
The regional government first ordered the freeze in September 2025. It has been kept in place, and extended more than once, ever since.
Licensed Fleet Already Grew to About 800 Vehicles
While the freeze has run, the licensed TVDE fleet in Madeira has climbed to about 800 vehicles. No new operators or drivers have been allowed to join the sector during that time.
Times of Madeira previously reported on the sector's growth and the government's plan to extend the freeze again.
Study on TVDE and Taxis Presented on 4 November
The plan to extend the suspension again was first signalled the previous week, on 4 November. Pedro Rodrigues, the regional secretary for Equipment and Infrastructure, raised it at a meeting with representatives of the transport sector.
At that meeting, the secretary presented the conclusions of a study on TVDE and taxi activity. It assessed their impact on mobility and transport planning in Madeira.
Previous Suspension Had Been Due to End on 13 November
Before Thursday's decision, the suspension was due to expire on 13 November, the day after the Council of the Government met. Counting four months from that date would put the new deadline at around mid-March 2027, though the government has not announced an exact end date.
Source: dnoticias.pt
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