Free Vehicle Loan Agreement (Comodato) Template for Puerto del Carmen

If you are planning to lend your car to a friend, family member, or business associate in Puerto del Carmen, it is essential to have a formal "Contrato de Comodato" (Gratuitous Loan Agreement). In Spain, this private contract serves as legal proof that the vehicle is being used with the owner's consent, which is crucial for insurance purposes, avoiding accusations of vehicle theft, and clarifying liability in the event of traffic fines issued by the local authorities.

How and Where to Use This Document in Puerto del Carmen

This document is a private agreement between two parties and does not need to be filed with the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) or the Tías Town Hall unless specifically requested for a local administrative procedure. However, you should follow these steps to ensure its validity:

• Print two copies: Both the lender (comodante) and the borrower (comodatario) must sign both copies.
• Keep it in the glove box: It is highly recommended that the borrower keeps a signed copy of this document inside the vehicle alongside the vehicle's registration papers (Permiso de Circulación) and the ITV card.
• Notarization (Optional): While not strictly required for a private loan, if you want to give the document an "official date" (fecha cierta) to protect against third-party claims, you can take it to a Notary Public in Lanzarote.

CONTRATO DE COMODATO DE VEHÍCULO / VEHICLE LOAN AGREEMENT

En Puerto del Carmen, a [Date] de [Month] de [Year].

REUNIDOS / THE PARTIES:
De una parte, D./Dña. [Owner Name], con DNI/NIE [ID Number], con domicilio en [Address], en adelante "el Comodante" (The Lender).
Y de otra parte, D./Dña. [Borrower Name], con DNI/NIE [ID Number], con domicilio en [Address], en adelante "el Comodatario" (The Borrower).

EXPONEN / STATEMENT:
Que el Comodante es propietario del vehículo marca [Make], modelo [Model], con matrícula [License Plate Number].
Que el Comodante desea ceder el uso gratuito del vehículo al Comodatario, quien acepta bajo las siguientes:

CLÁUSULAS / TERMS:
1. Objeto: El Comodante cede el uso del vehículo mencionado al Comodatario de forma gratuita. / The Lender grants the free use of the mentioned vehicle to the Borrower.
2. Duración: El préstamo tendrá una duración desde [Start Date] hasta [End Date]. / The loan duration shall be from [Start Date] to [End Date].
3. Uso: El Comodatario se compromete a utilizar el vehículo de forma diligente y exclusivamente para uso privado. / The Borrower agrees to use the vehicle diligently and exclusively for private use.
4. Gastos y Multas: Todos los gastos derivados del uso (combustible, peajes) y las sanciones de tráfico serán responsabilidad exclusiva del Comodatario. / All costs derived from use (fuel, tolls) and traffic fines shall be the sole responsibility of the Borrower.

Firmado / Signed:
[Signature Comodante] ____________________
[Signature Comodatario] ____________________

Additional Documentation Required

To ensure you are fully compliant when driving in Puerto del Carmen or elsewhere in Spain, ensure that the following documents are always present:

• Vehicle Registration (Permiso de Circulación): The original document issued by the DGT.
• ITV Card (Ficha Técnica): Proof of a valid technical inspection.
• Insurance Policy: Ensure your insurance company is aware that another person will be driving the vehicle, as some policies have age or experience restrictions for "occasional drivers."
• Valid Driver's License: The borrower must possess a driving license valid for use in Spain.

Expert Tip: If the vehicle is being loaned for a period longer than 30 days, notify your insurance provider. Some companies may require the additional driver to be explicitly named on the policy to ensure full coverage in the event of an accident. Always verify that your vehicle's ITV is up to date before handing over the keys, as driving without a valid ITV is a serious traffic offense in Spain.