Your normal car insurance does not protect you when you carry paying passengers — and using it that way is illegal. It's a detail many drivers only discover after an accident, when the insurer refuses to pay.
To work in TVDE you need a policy that explicitly declares passenger transport. In this guide we explain what TVDE insurance is, the role of the carta verde, and why the particular conditions document is what actually proves your cover to the platforms.
Why TVDE insurance is different from normal insurance
A private car insurance policy covers using the car for personal purposes. The moment you carry a paying passenger through Uber or Bolt, the risk profile changes: you drive many more kilometres, during peak traffic, with third parties on board.
Driving like that on a private policy has two serious consequences: your cover becomes void (the insurer can refuse to pay any claim) and you are operating illegally, exposed to a fine.
The solution is a policy that clearly identifies use for passenger transport. That declaration is what makes the insurance valid for TVDE activity, which is governed by Law 45/2018.
What the carta verde is
The carta verde (International Insurance Certificate, or green card) is the document proving the vehicle has valid third-party liability insurance. It is issued by the insurer and comes with the policy.
It serves as quick proof that the car is insured — in Portugal and across Europe. But on its own, the carta verde does not state what purpose the car is insured for. A car can have a carta verde and still not be covered for TVDE. That is why it is never enough by itself.
Particular conditions: the document that proves TVDE
This is where many drivers slip up. The policy's particular conditions (condições particulares) are the document that details exactly what your insurance covers — and it is where the use as TVDE / passenger transport must be stated in writing.
When you register with an operator or fleet partner, this is usually the documentation required:
| Document | What it proves | Required by platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Carta verde | The vehicle has valid insurance | Yes |
| Particular conditions | The policy covers TVDE activity | Yes |
Without the explicit TVDE mention in the particular conditions, the operator won't validate the vehicle — and even if it did, you'd still have no real cover on a trip.
Cover: what's mandatory and what's optional
The foundation of any TVDE insurance is mandatory third-party liability, which covers harm caused to third parties — including the passengers you carry. This is the legal minimum.
From there, you can strengthen the policy with optional cover, depending on your budget and the value of the car:
- Own damage — covers damage to your own vehicle, even in accidents you are responsible for.
- Occupants — additional protection for the people you carry.
- Travel assistance — towing and support in case of a breakdown, valuable for anyone driving many kilometres a day.
Note one important distinction: vehicle insurance protects the car, third parties, and passengers — but it does not protect the driver as a professional. For that there is a separate policy, the driver's work accident insurance, which covers incapacity or loss of income after an accident. They are two different policies with different purposes.
How to get the right TVDE insurance
The process is simple if you know what to ask for. When you contact the insurer or broker:
- Say from the start that the car is for TVDE activity / passenger transport. Don't describe it as generic "professional" use.
- Ask for the carta verde and the particular conditions with the TVDE mention already included.
- Confirm the cover: mandatory third-party liability is the minimum; weigh own damage and assistance based on the car's value.
- Keep both documents accessible, in physical and digital format, to show the operator and during roadside checks.
If you are still going to buy a car, you can simplify everything by choosing a vehicle already prepared for the activity. See the used cars available for TVDE.
Pronto para começar?
A Arterian oferece o slot TVDE completo por apenas 25€/semana. Ativação em cerca de 48 horas, sem fidelização e suporte 24/7.
Get Your Slot for €25/weekWhere insurance fits in your activation
TVDE insurance is just one piece of the vehicle documentation. If you have just obtained your CMTVDE and want to understand everything else you need to gather — on both the car and driver side — see our complete guide: what to do after the CMTVDE to start working.
If you drive a fleet partner's car, the fleet handles the vehicle insurance — but it's still worth confirming the policy covers TVDE and who is liable in case of a claim.
Don't risk driving without cover
Working with the wrong insurance is a risk not worth taking: a single accident can wipe out months of earnings and bring legal trouble. Having the carta verde and particular conditions in order is what gives you the peace of mind to focus on the trips.
At Arterian we help drivers confirm that their vehicle documentation is complete and valid for TVDE. If you have doubts about your policy, talk to us before accepting your first trip.
Does your policy explicitly mention TVDE? If you're not sure, contact us on WhatsApp or by email and we'll help you confirm.
