Selling your car in Spain? You can avoid paying someone else’s DGT fines by telling the DGT.

So, you’ve finally sold your car in Spain – maybe to upgrade, maybe because you’re moving, or simply because it was time. But before you relax and celebrate the sale, there’s one last step you absolutely shouldn’t skip: notifying the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).

It might sound like a small detail, but failing to inform the DGT that your car has changed hands could leave you with unexpected headaches – and even fines – long after the vehicle is gone. Here is a step-bystep guide that will ensure you don’t get into trouble.

The importance of notifying the DGT when you sell your vehicle

The DGT in Spain needs to be informed when a vehicle changes ownership. This isn’t just bureaucracy – it’s your legal protection.

Imagine selling your vehicle today, and receiving a speeding citation in the mail a few months later. You could be liable for the fine if you don’t notify the DGT. It’s the same for unpaid taxes, parking fees or traffic offences committed by a new owner.

You are telling the DGT that you have registered the sale. This vehicle is not mine anymore. After that, you are fully responsible for any future damage to the vehicle.

You’ll also need the following documents to begin.

Be sure to gather all required documentation before you go online or book an appointment. It is the same process throughout Spain with only minor differences between regions.

What you’ll Need:

• Both the seller and buyer must have a valid DNI, passport or NIE.
• A sales contract (contrato de compraventaBoth parties should sign the document. This must include the full details of each person and the vehicle – brand, model, registration number, chassis number, and sale price.
• Original driving license (permiso de circulaciónTechnical Inspection Card (ficha técnica).
• Proof that the road tax (impuesto de circulación) has been paid.
• Payment of the DGT fee, which is currently €8.67.

If you have everything ready, then you can either notify the DGT in person or online, depending on which is easiest for you.

How to inform the DGT online

This is the fastest and easiest option if you are comfortable with online forms. Visit the official DGT site at www.dgt.es

Follow these steps:

1. Login using your digital certificates, electronic DNIs, or Cl@ve systems.
2. Choose the option “Notificación de venta de vehículo.”
3. Please fill in the details of the buyer, the date of the sale, and the registration number for your vehicle.
4. Upload your documents — the sales contract, your ID, and the vehicle permit.
5. Pay the €8.67 fee online.
6. Sign the form and submit it digitally.

Download and save your receipt once you have done this. It’s proof that you’ve notified the sale – your golden ticket in case any issue pops up later.

Do you prefer to do it yourself? You can do it yourself.

If you’d rather speak to someone face-to-face, you can complete the process at your nearest Jefatura de Tráfico (Traffic Office). Book an appointment before you arrive.

On the day, bring all the same documents listed above – ID, sales contract, vehicle papers, proof of tax payment and the DGT fee. You will fill out an official notification, also known as notificación de transmisión de vehículo.

You will receive a confirmation receipt once a DGT officer has reviewed everything and confirmed it is correct. Keep it safe – it’s your proof that the sale has been officially recorded.

What happens if the DGT is not notified?

Neglecting this step could be costly. In the DGT system, if the car remains registered in your own name, it’s still legal for you to be the owner. You’re responsible for parking fines and unpaid tolls.

In some cases, not notifying the sale can even lead to fines between €751 and €7,500 per affected vehicle. It’s a steep price to pay for a simple task that only takes a few moments to complete.

Notifying the DGT after selling your car in Spain isn’t optional — it’s essential. You’ll avoid legal and financial problems, and you will have peace of mind when you know that your car is no longer registered in your name.

It is a simple process, and you could avoid months of unnecessary stress by doing it at the local traffic office or online. So, before you hand over the keys and say goodbye to your old car, make sure you’ve told the DGT – and keep that confirmation safe.

Because in Spain the sale of an automobile isn’t complete until DGT also knows.