Traveling Abroad with a Borrowed Car: Downloadable Authorization Template for Plasencia Residents
If you are planning to drive a vehicle that is not registered in your name outside of Spain, you may encounter significant issues at border crossings or if you are stopped by foreign police. To avoid being accused of vehicle theft or unauthorized use, you must carry a formal "Authorization to Drive a Foreign Vehicle." This document proves that the vehicle owner has granted you explicit permission to take their car across international borders. This guide provides a template specifically designed for residents of Plasencia and surrounding areas in Cáceres.
Instructions on how and where to submit it in Plasencia
Unlike a vehicle transfer (cambio de nombre) at the DGT, this authorization is a private document between the owner and the driver. It does not need to be "submitted" to a government office in Plasencia to be valid, but it must be legally sound to be accepted by international authorities.
- Notarization: While not strictly mandatory, it is highly recommended to have the owner’s signature verified by a Notary Public (Notario) in Plasencia. This provides an official seal that foreign police are more likely to respect.
- Language: Because you are traveling abroad, the document should ideally be in Spanish and English (or the language of your destination country).
- Translation: If you are traveling to a country where English or Spanish is not the primary language, consider having a sworn translation of this document.
AUTORIZACIÓN PARA LA CONDUCCIÓN DE VEHÍCULO EN EL EXTRANJERO / AUTHORIZATION TO DRIVE A VEHICLE ABROAD
DATOS DEL PROPIETARIO / OWNER DETAILS:
Nombre/Name: [Nombre del Propietario]
DNI/NIE/Passport: [Número de Documento]
Domicilio/Address: [Dirección en Plasencia, España]DATOS DEL VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE DETAILS:
Marca y Modelo/Make and Model: [Marca y Modelo]
Matrícula/License Plate: [Matrícula]
Número de Bastidor/VIN: [Número de Bastidor]DATOS DEL CONDUCTOR AUTORIZADO / AUTHORIZED DRIVER DETAILS:
Nombre/Name: [Nombre del Conductor]
DNI/NIE/Passport: [Número de Documento]
Permiso de Conducir/Driver’s License: [Número de Licencia]DECLARACIÓN / DECLARATION:
(ES) Por la presente, autorizo de forma expresa al conductor arriba mencionado a utilizar mi vehículo para viajar al extranjero durante el periodo comprendido entre [Fecha Inicio] y [Fecha Fin].
(EN) I hereby expressly authorize the driver mentioned above to use my vehicle for travel abroad during the period from [Start Date] to [End Date].En Plasencia, a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].
Firma del Propietario / Owner's Signature:
__________________________
Additional documentation required
Having the authorization letter is only one step. To ensure a smooth journey from Plasencia to your international destination, you must also carry the following documents in the vehicle:
- Original Vehicle Registration (Permiso de Circulación): Never carry a photocopy; keep the original in the glove compartment.
- Valid ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos): Ensure your ITV is up to date. You can visit the ITV station in Plasencia (Polígono Industrial) if you are close to your expiration date.
- Proof of Insurance (Carta Verde): Contact your insurance provider to request a "Green Card" (International Certificate of Insurance), which is mandatory for driving outside the EU or in specific countries.
- Driver's License: Ensure your Spanish driving license is valid and not expired.
Expert Tip: Before crossing any border, check your insurance policy terms. Many Spanish insurance companies restrict coverage if the vehicle is outside the country for more than 30 or 90 consecutive days. If you are planning a long-term trip, notify your broker in Plasencia beforehand to avoid being left unprotected in the event of an accident or mechanical failure.