If the answer is yes please continue reading.
The cheapest option is most likely to be the cheapest for a reason. Most people who choose the cheapest transfer do not realize that this cars are unlicensed vehicles.
Not your problem, you think. You should think twice.
There are several problems with unlicensed transport. The most obvious are that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. If police are having a control according to the law passengers caught using unlicensed taxi and transfer services are liable for fines of up to 600€.
In other words a cheap transfer can turn out to be expensive and ruin the start of the holiday.
The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they don’t pay tax or follow the authorities requirements . You have no way of knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.
Are you steeling from the locals?
We love this islands and personally I feel so grateful that the locals; The Canarios are sharing this beautiful island with millions of European visitors every year. The least we can do is to support their businesses and not undermining it.
Unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the islands economy.
I strongly believe that people of Gran Canaria deserves better! I hope you do too.
How to know that your airport transport service is legal and licensed?
It is easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following;
All legal operating transfer services have the following:
Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park on the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your driver should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the airport. .
A blue license plate: Public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.
A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.
An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public.
How to spot an unlicensed transfer service?
Unlicensed drivers get away with offering their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend or family. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign. (Everybody can do that)
They have to park in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter or they park without permission one floor up on the departure drop off zone. Then they will not pay parking fee. A licensed transfer driver dosent need to do this because they have their own parking zone right when you come out of the arrival next to the taxis and package tour buses .
Some unlicensed drivers don't wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognize them and get annoyed. (Because they steel their customers) Instead they stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks).
When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free.
An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car).
Hopefully this makes you think twice before you book an unlicensed driver. Thank you.
Thank you for explaining proper regulated taxi drivers