FAQS

Cases that DO require authorization

It is necessary to have an authorization to carry out the transportation of goods in the following cases:

To carry out public transportation of goods in vehicles whose maximum authorized mass is equal to or greater than 2 tons, except in the cases of exceptions indicated in these same frequently asked questions in the section "Transportation of Goods - What types of transportation of goods require transportation authorization? - Cases that DO NOT require authorization".

To carry out private complementary transportation of goods (transportation of own goods) in vehicles whose maximum authorized mass is equal to or greater than 3.5 tons, except in the cases of exceptions indicated in these same frequently asked questions in the section "Transportation of Goods - What types of transportation of goods require transportation authorization? - Cases that DO NOT require authorization".

Cases that DO NOT require authorization

Authorization is not required to carry out the following public transportation (article 33.2 of the ROTT):

1. Transportation carried out in vehicles whose maximum authorized speed does not exceed 40 kilometers per hour.
2. Transportation carried out in vehicles that are permanently attached to machines or instruments such as those intended for power generators, lifting cranes, drilling equipment, etc., with these machines or instruments being exclusively for the use of the vehicle. This exemption will include the transportation on board of such vehicles of those parts, tools or other accessories that are necessary for the proper functioning of the machine or equipment or for the proper provision of the services for which they are intended.
3. Transportation carried out in vehicles with less than 3 wheels.

4. Transportation of goods carried out in vehicles whose maximum authorized mass does not exceed 2 tons.

   Likewise, transportation of goods carried out in category N1 vehicles that use alternative fuels as a source of energy, whose maximum authorized mass does not exceed 2.5 tons, will be exempt, provided that their payload capacity is not increased compared to an equivalent vehicle whose maximum authorized mass does not exceed 2 tons.

5. Transportation carried out entirely within enclosed areas dedicated to activities other than land transportation, except in those cases where, due to special circumstances affecting transportation in the area, the competent transport authority, by means of a reasoned resolution, expressly establishes the obligation of authorization.
6. Transportation of luggage in trailers towed by passenger vehicles.
7. Transportation of domestic waste and filth carried out in vehicles specially equipped for this purpose or that, in any case, have been acquired for this purpose by the corresponding local entity.
8. Transportation of money, valuables and precious goods carried out in vehicles specially equipped for this purpose.
9. Transportation of medicines, medical devices and other articles necessary in cases of urgent assistance and, in particular, in natural disasters.
10. Transportation carried out in the context of practical classes for obtaining a driving license or a professional competence certificate for drivers (CPC).
11. Transportation carried out using historic vehicles as defined in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on Historic Vehicles, approved by Royal Decree 1247/1995, of July 14."

Authorization is not required to carry out the following private complementary transportation (article 155 of the ROTT):

1. Transportation that presents identical characteristics to those indicated in article 33.2 of this Regulation. (See previous paragraphs)
2. Private individual transportation defined in article 101 of the LOTT.
3. Official transportation defined in article 105 of the LOTT.
4. Transportation of passengers in tourist vehicles, except for medical transportation.
5. Transportation of goods in vehicles whose maximum authorized mass does not exceed 3.5 tons.
6. Funeral transportation, which may be freely carried out throughout the national territory by funeral service providers, regardless of their origin or route.

The law distinguishes between:

• “Authorizations for the transport of goods exclusively in vehicles that do not exceed 3.5 tons of maximum authorized mass.” They must comply with the requirements provided in article 43.1 of the LOTT.

  However, when the holders of this type of authorization have vehicles assigned with a maximum authorized mass of more than 2.5 tons and up to 3.5 tons, and they are going to perform at least one international service with any of their vehicles, they must also comply with the requirements of establishment, honorability, financial capacity, and professional competence referred to in article 43.2 of the LOTT, in the terms provided in national and community regulations.

• “Authorizations for vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 tons, called 'authorizations for the transport of goods in any type of vehicle'”.

  In addition to the requirements provided in article 43.1 of the LOTT, they must comply with the requirements of establishment, honorability, financial capacity, and professional competence referred to in article 43.2 of the LOTT, in the terms provided in national and community regulations.

We remind you that you can also find information on international transport in these frequently asked questions.

If you intend to transport goods from your own company, this activity can be considered as a complementary private transport (which is carried out by companies or other entities whose main purpose is not to carry out a transport activity) as a necessary or suitable complement for the proper development of its main activity.

For this, you need a complementary private transport authorization, unless it falls under one of the exempt cases (we recommend that you visit the section "Transport of Goods - What types of goods transport require transport authorization? - Cases that do NOT require authorization" in these same frequently asked questions).

In order for a transport activity to be considered a complementary private transport, it must meet all the requirements set forth in articles 102 of the LOTT and 155 and following of the ROTT.

According to article 102.2 of the LOTT:

"2. Complementary private transports must jointly meet the following conditions:

1. If it is a transport of goods, they must belong to the company or have been sold, purchased, given or taken on lease, produced, extracted, transformed or repaired by it, with said sale, purchase, lease, production, extraction, transformation or repair being an integral part of the company's main economic activity.(…)
2. The origin or destination of the transport must be one of the places where the company carries out work related to its main activity.
3. The vehicles used must be integrated into the organization of the company on identical terms as provided for in article 54.2. In this case, the trailers and semi-trailers used must also be integrated into the organization of the company as property, financial leasing or ordinary leasing.
4. The drivers of the vehicles must be integrated into the organization of the company and have the qualifications that, where applicable, are relevant, on identical terms as provided for in article 54.3.
5. The transport cannot be contracted or invoiced independently. If applicable, its cost must be incorporated into the final price of the product or service that constitutes the company's main activity before applying Value Added Tax."

All the information and procedures related to international road transport can be found on the Ministry's Website:

• Click on the top menu: “Transporte Terrestre”
• In the center of the page, under: “Marco de referencia del sector”
• Click on the menu: “Transporte internacional por carretera”

Alternatively, you can copy the following link into your browser: https://www.mitma.gob.es/transporte-terrestre/transporte-internacional-por-carretera