You are planning to lend your car out in Spain. The DGT form can help prevent fines from being issued in your name

It’s something many people do without thinking – you lend your car to your partner, a family member or a friend who ends up using it most of the time. In Spain, this situation can cause confusion if there is a traffic notice or fine. The DGT will automatically send penalties to the vehicle owner if it doesn’t know the regular driver.

This is where a document that’s little known comes into play. The DGT Declaration of Consent as Regular Driver Owners can officially register another driver as the primary driver of their vehicle. The registration doesn’t actually transfer ownership. However, it clarifies who is responsible if anything goes wrong.

For many drivers – especially expats navigating Spain’s traffic rules – it’s a simple step that can prevent unnecessary paperwork later.

What is the DGT declaration of “regular driver?”

It is easy to understand. Notify the police if your vehicle is regularly used by someone else. DGT So they are recognized as the main drivers.

Practically, it is when the driver drives for extended periods of time rather than only occasionally. It could be that a partner uses the car regularly, a student or child relies on the vehicle to study or work, or an extended family member borrows it.

Once the vehicle is registered, the driver who drives the car most often becomes the first point of contact for any traffic violations involving the vehicle. Instead of notifying the owner and having them explain who drove, the process is directed to the person driving the vehicle.

This is a small administrative point, but it reflects driving situations in real life more accurately.

Many drivers discover this only after they receive a fine

Without a habitual driving record, all traffic tickets, parking fines, and speeding tickets are issued to the vehicle owner. The owner then has to identify who was driving at the time – something that can lead to delays, extra steps and potential penalties if deadlines are missed.

Registering the primary driver can help eliminate this back and forth. The authorities already know who’s responsible for daily vehicle use. This makes communication easier and the process less stressful.

This is particularly useful when the household ownership and daily use are not in sync, as this happens far more than people think.

It makes sense to register a habitual motorist

When the vehicle owner does not use the car the majority of the time, it is worth thinking about the declaration. Examples include couples who share a vehicle, parents with children who drive frequently or situations in which a car has been lent out for 1-2 months.

You can also use it as a safeguard to protect yourself from being dragged into a penal procedure for an offense you didn’t commit.

The process is fairly simple. The DGT will allow the owner of the vehicle to submit the form, confirm their consent, and officially identify the driver.

It is important to note that this small detail can make life much easier for expats who live in Spain.

In the end, registering a habitual driver doesn’t change who owns the car – it simply ensures that responsibility follows the person actually driving it. If a fine is ever issued, this clarity will make a big difference.