Driving Someone Else’s Car Abroad from Alicante: Download the Legal Authorization Template (Word/PDF)

Planning a road trip across the border from Spain into France, Portugal, or beyond using a vehicle that isn't registered in your name? If you are leaving Spanish territory, simply borrowing a friend or family member's car is not enough. Without official proof that you have permission to drive the vehicle abroad, you risk heavy fines, vehicle immobilization at the border, or even being reported for vehicle theft. As traffic and legal experts in Alicante, we have prepared a complete guide and a ready-to-copy legal template to ensure your cross-border trip goes smoothly.

Instructions on how and where to submit it in Alicante/Alacant

Unlike internal travel within Spain, where verbal permission or a simple private note often suffices, traveling internationally requires a formal document authenticated by a notary public or registered through official channels. To make this authorization legally airtight for foreign authorities and the Guardia Civil, follow these steps in Alicante:

• Draft the Document: Fill out the bilingual template provided below with the owner's and driver's exact details, as well as the vehicle's license plate and VIN number.
• Notarize the Signature (Recomendado): Take the signed document to a Notary Public in Alicante (*Notaría*). Having a notary legitimize the owner's signature prevents any language or authenticity barriers with foreign police or border control.
• Check DGT Records: Ensure the vehicle has no pending administrative blocks, valid ITV (Technical Vehicle Inspection), and that the compulsory insurance policy covers driving abroad (Green Card / *Carta Verde*).

AUTORIZACIÓN DE USO DE VEHÍCULO EN EL EXTRANJERO / AUTHORIZATION TO USE A VEHICLE ABROAD

DATOS DEL TITULAR / OWNER DETAILS:
Nombre y Apellidos / Full Name: [Nombre del Propietario]
DNI / NIE / Pasaporte / ID Number: [Número de Documento]
Domicilio / Address: [Dirección completa en Alicante, España]
Teléfono / Phone: [Teléfono de contacto]

DATOS DEL CONDUCTOR AUTORIZADO / AUTHORIZED DRIVER DETAILS:
Nombre y Apellidos / Full Name: [Nombre del Conductor]
DNI / NIE / Pasaporte / ID Number: [Número de Documento]
Permiso de Conducir Nº / Driving Licence No.: [Número de carnet de conducir]
País de Expedición / Issuing Country: [País]

DATOS DEL VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE DETAILS:
Matrícula / Registration Number: [Número de matrícula]
Marca y Modelo / Make and Model: [Marca y Modelo]
Número de Bastidor (VIN) / VIN: [Número de bastidor]

MANIFESTACIÓN Y CONSENTIMIENTO / STATEMENT AND CONSENT:

ES: Por medio del presente documento, el titular del vehículo arriba referenciado autoriza expresamente al conductor autorizado para circular con el mismo fuera del territorio nacional de España, pudiendo transitar por cualquier país extranjero a partir de la fecha de firma del presente documento y hasta la fecha de finalización indicada.

EN: By means of this document, the owner of the above-referenced vehicle expressly authorizes the authorized driver to drive the vehicle outside the national territory of Spain, and to travel through any foreign country from the date of signature of this document until the end date indicated below.

PERIODO DE VALIDEZ / PERIOD OF VALIDITY:
Desde / From: [Fecha de inicio] Hasta / To: [Fecha de fin]

En [Ciudad/Alicante], a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].

Fdo. El Titular / Signed (Owner): ___________________
Fdo. El Conductor / Signed (Driver): ___________________

(Diligencia Notarial opcional pero recomendada / Optional but recommended Notary Seal)

Additional documentation required

Carrying the authorization letter alone is not enough to cross international borders from Alicante. Make sure you pack the following essential documents inside the vehicle's glove compartment:

• Permiso de Circulación: The original vehicle registration certificate issued by the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).
• Tarjeta de ITV: The technical inspection card, ensuring the vehicle has passed its mandatory roadworthiness tests.
• Proof of Insurance (Recibo de seguro y Carta Verde): Verify with your insurance provider in Alicante that your policy extends coverage abroad (particularly if traveling outside the European Union) and request the International Motor Insurance Card (*Carta Verde*).
• Valid Identification: Passports or national identity cards for both the driver and any passengers.

As an expert tip, always check the specific traffic laws of the destination country before departing from Alicante. Countries like France or Italy have strict regulations regarding mandatory equipment inside the car (such as high-visibility vests, warning triangles, breathalyzers, or low-emission zone stickers like *Crit'Air*). Preparing your paperwork in advance avoids costly delays and ensures a safe, legal journey.