Free Vehicle Loan Agreement (Comodato) in Archena: Download Template (Word/PDF)
If you are planning to lend your car, van, or motorcycle to a family member, friend, or employee in Spain without charging rent, you need a specific legal document known as a Contrato de Comodato de Vehículo (Gratuitous Vehicle Loan Agreement). In legal terms, a "comodato" is a gratuitous loan where the borrower (comodatario) can use the vehicle for a specific time and purpose, with the strict obligation to return the exact same vehicle. Having this contract in place is crucial in Spain to avoid hefty tax penalties from the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) regarding undocumented vehicle usage, as well as to clarify liability in case of traffic fines or accidents managed by local authorities in Archena.
Instructions on how and where to submit it in Archena
Unlike vehicle transfers of ownership (cambio de titularidad) at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), a private vehicle loan agreement does not strictly need to be submitted to a physical government office to be valid between the parties. However, to give it legal certainty and official timestamping (fecha cierta) against third parties and public administrations, you can take specific steps locally in Archena:
- Ayuntamiento de Archena (Local Municipal Registry): If you need to register the authorized driver for local municipal matters, you can visit the General Registry of the Archena Town Hall (Ayuntamiento de Archena) located at Plaza de España, 1, 30600 Archena, Murcia.
- Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico de Murcia: Although not mandatory for a simple loan, you can optionally notify the DGT about the habitual driver (conductor habitual) of the vehicle. This ensures that traffic fines (multas) are initially sent to the actual driver rather than the registered owner. You can process this digitally via the DGT electronic headquarters or request an appointment at the Murcia provincial office.
- Notary Public (Notaría): For ultimate legal security, both parties can sign this template before a Notary Public in Archena to officially notarize the signatures.
CONTRATO DE COMODATO DE VEHÍCULO (PRÉSTAMO GRATUITO) / GRATUITOUS VEHICLE LOAN AGREEMENT
En Archena (Murcia), a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año].
REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES
De una parte, D./Dña. [Nombre del Propietario], mayor de edad, con DNI [Número de DNI], y domicilio a efectos de notificaciones en [Dirección completa], en adelante, EL COMODANTE (Propietario).
On one part, Mr./Ms. [Owner's Name], of legal age, with ID [ID Number], and address for notification purposes at [Full Address], hereinafter referred to as THE LENDER.
Y de otra parte, D./Dña. [Nombre del Prestatario], mayor de edad, con DNI [Número de DNI], y domicilio a efectos de notificaciones en [Dirección completa], en adelante, EL COMODATARIO (Usuario).
And on the other part, Mr./Ms. [Borrower's Name], of legal age, with ID [ID Number], and address for notification purposes at [Full Address], hereinafter referred to as THE BORROWER.
Ambas partes reconocen la capacidad legal necesaria para otorgar el presente contrato y, a tal fin, / Both parties acknowledge the necessary legal capacity to enter into this agreement and, to that end,
EXPONEN / DECLARE
PRIMERO: Que EL COMODANTE es el actual propietario del vehículo cuyas características se detallan a continuación:
- Marca: [Marca]
- Modelo: [Modelo]
- Matrícula: [Matrícula]
- Bastidor / VIN: [Número de Bastidor]
FIRST: THE LENDER is the current owner of the vehicle detailed above.
SEGUNDO: Que EL COMODANTE cede el uso gratuito del mencionado vehículo al COMODATARIO, quien lo acepta en las condiciones establecidas en las siguientes /
SECOND: THE LENDER transfers the gratuitous use of the aforementioned vehicle to THE BORROWER, who accepts it under the conditions established in the following
CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES
PRIMERA (Objeto y Gratuidad): El presente contrato tiene por objeto el préstamo de uso (comodato) gratuito del vehículo descrito. El COMODATARIO no estará obligado a abonar cantidad alguna en concepto de renta o alquiler por el uso del vehículo.
FIRST (Object and Gratuitousness): The purpose of this contract is the gratuitous loan of use of the described vehicle. THE BORROWER shall not be obliged to pay any amount as rent for the use of the vehicle.
SEGUNDA (Duración): El presente contrato tendrá una duración de [Indicar duración, ej: 1 año / Indefinida hasta revocación], comenzando el día [Fecha de inicio] y finalizando el día [Fecha de fin]. No obstante, EL COMODANTE podrá reclamar la devolución del vehículo en cualquier momento si concurre justa causa.
SECOND (Duration): This contract shall have a duration of [Indicate duration], starting on [Start Date] and ending on [End Date]. However, THE LENDER may demand the return of the vehicle at any time if just cause arises.
TERCERA (Gastos y Mantenimiento): Serán de cuenta exclusiva del COMODATARIO todos los gastos derivados del uso del vehículo, tales como consumo de combustible, reparaciones derivadas del uso ordinario o extraordinario (salvo vicios ocultos), ITV, así como el pago de las multas o sanciones de tráfico que se impongan durante la vigencia de este contrato. El seguro obligatorio del automóvil correrá a cargo de [Indicar si lo paga el comodante o comodatario].
THIRD (Expenses and Maintenance): All expenses derived from the use of the vehicle, such as fuel consumption, repairs, ITV, as well as the payment of traffic fines imposed during the term of this contract, shall be exclusively borne by THE BORROWER.
CUARTA (Uso del vehículo): El COMODATARIO se compromete a utilizar el vehículo exclusivamente para fines particulares/profesionales [elegir], estando prohibida su cesión a terceros, así como su uso fuera de los límites territoriales de [Indicar, ej: España / Unión Europea] sin autorización expresa del COMODANTE.
FOURTH (Use of the vehicle): THE BORROWER undertakes to use the vehicle exclusively for private/professional purposes, and its transfer to third parties is strictly prohibited.
Y en prueba de conformidad, firman las partes el presente documento por duplicado en Archena, en el lugar y fecha al principio indicados.
And as proof of conformity, the parties sign this document in duplicate in Archena, on the place and date indicated above.
Fdo. El Comodante / The Lender Fdo. El Comodatario / The Borrower
[Firma] [Firma]
Additional documentation required
To ensure the validity and smooth execution of this vehicle loan in Archena, both parties should gather and keep copies of the following documents together with the signed contract:
- Permiso de Circulación (Vehicle Registration Certificate): Proof that the vehicle is legally registered in Spain.
- Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica (ITV Card): Ensuring the vehicle has passed its mandatory technical inspection and is roadworthy.
- Póliza de Seguros y Recibo de Pago (Insurance Policy): Essential to verify that the vehicle has mandatory third-party liability insurance. Note: Check your insurance policy terms to confirm whether secondary drivers are covered, as some insurers require authorized drivers to be explicitly registered.
- Identification Documents: Valid DNI, NIE, or Passport of both the lender (comodante) and the borrower (comodatario).
Expert Tip from Archena: Always keep a signed copy of this agreement inside the glove compartment of the vehicle along with the vehicle documents. If the borrower is stopped by Local Police (Policía Local) in Archena or the Guardia Civil de Tráfico, presenting this document immediately resolves any doubts about the legitimate possession of the vehicle and helps clarify that the driver is not operating a stolen or illegally appropriated car. Furthermore, remember that if the loan extends beyond a few months, notifying your insurance company prevents potential coverage disputes in the event of an accident.